Abuja, Nigeria – February 27, 2026 – Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son Abdulaziz Malami to bail in the sum of N200 million each in a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
The ruling was delivered on Friday following arguments on their bail applications by lead defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN. The Department of State Services (DSS) brought the charges against the duo, who pleaded not guilty when arraigned earlier in February.
Justice Abdulmalik, while granting the bail, emphasized that bail is meant to secure the defendants' attendance at trial. She ordered them remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending perfection of the conditions.
Bail Conditions
Each defendant must provide two sureties in the sum of N200 million each.
One surety must own a developed landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, with the title deed deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
Both defendants must deposit their valid international passports with the court.
Sureties are required to depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 4, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
This development comes on the same day Justice Abdulmalik handled a separate money laundering case against Malami, his wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son Abdulaziz, where she remanded them in custody pending fresh bail applications following case reassignment.
The terrorism and firearms charge stems from allegations that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose files were referred to him during his tenure as AGF. Additional counts involve unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum firearm, live ammunition, and expended cartridges, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.
The defendants were initially arraigned in early February, with the case drawing significant attention due to Malami's prominent role in the previous administration. The DSS prosecution maintains the charges relate to serious national security concerns.
Defence counsel had argued for bail, highlighting the defendants' status, lack of flight risk, and prior compliance in related matters. The prosecution did not oppose bail in principle but left conditions to the court's discretion.
This bail ruling in the terrorism/firearms matter contrasts with the remand order in the parallel EFCC money laundering case involving N8.7 billion, where fresh bail applications are required.
Legal observers note the split decisions reflect the court's caution in high-profile cases involving multiple charges. The outcomes highlight ongoing judicial scrutiny of former officials amid anti-corruption and security probes.
No immediate reaction has come from Malami or his legal team beyond the proceedings, though sources indicate efforts to meet the bail conditions swiftly. The DSS has not commented publicly on the ruling.
The cases underscore the complexities of prosecuting high-profile figures, with trials set to proceed in the coming weeks as Nigeria's judicial system addresses allegations spanning corruption, terrorism financing, and firearms violations.
