Alleged Terrorism: Court Grants Malami, Son N200m Bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted N200 million bail each to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, over charges bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, approved the bail on Friday, February 27, 2026, while delivering a ruling on the application presented by the defendants’ lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

Despite the bail approval, Malami and his son were ordered to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
Among the conditions stipulated by the court is that each defendant must produce two sureties in like sum of N200 million. One of the sureties must own landed property located in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja.
Justice Abdulmalik further directed that the title documents of the properties be submitted to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court along with valid international passports. The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means and provide two recent passport photographs to the court.
Additionally, Malami and his son were ordered to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.
The judge subsequently fixed March 4, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge relating to alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
Malami was accused of failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him during his tenure as AGF and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also alleged to have stored firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
According to the DSS, count one alleges that Malami knowingly aided terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute alleged financiers, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In counts two to five, Malami and his son were charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The offences, the DSS stated, are contrary to and punishable under the relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.