In a dramatic courtroom twist, the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulaziz, bail totaling N200 million each over alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the bail on Friday, February 27, 2026, following arguments by the defendants’ lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Until bail conditions are met, Malami and his son will remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre. Each must produce two sureties worth N200 million, among other requirements.
One of the sureties must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered that the title documents of the properties should be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court alongside valid international passports.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge ordered that the sureties must depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs to the court.
In addition, Malami and his son were directed to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.
The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of trial.
NAN also reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026 and filed before the court in Abuja, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to him while he served as AGF and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of warehousing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi without lawful authority.
Specifically, the DSS alleged in count one that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing 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 offence, according to the prosecuting agency are contrary to, and punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.
~NAN
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