The prosecution will continue to press on with other charges filed against Mr Malami and his son in the case.
The federal government has dropped terrorism financing charges against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulaziz, but will press on with prosecuting them for other offences they were charged with.
The prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced an amendment to the case during Wednesday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Cable reported that Mr Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, sought the court’s permission to swap the former indictment with the amended version which includes other old charges like possession of firearms.
Defence lawyer Shaibu Aruwa, confirmed to the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, that his clients had been served with the amended charges.
Mr Malami, who is seeking to run for Kebbi State governor in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, and his son pleaded not guilty to the amended charges when read to them.
The judge ruled that the bail granted to the defendants on 27 February would remain in place.
She then set 26 May and 15 June for trial.
Charges
The State Security Service (SSS) first arraigned Mr Malami (SAN) and his son before the judge on 3 February on six terrorism-related charges.
In the charges, the federal government alleged that Mr Malami, sometime in November 2022, knowingly abetted terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he served as Attorney General of the Federation.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
These charges are now off the case following Wednesday’s amendment.
In another count, the prosecution alleged that Mr Malami and his son engaged in conduct preparatory to an act of terrorism by possessing, without licence, a Sturm Magnum firearm, 16 live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in December 2025.
The defendants were also accused of unlawful possession of the firearm and ammunition, offences punishable under relevant provisions of the Firearms Act.
The amendment of the charges was prompted by a change in the prosecution team.
Mr Kehinde first appeared in the case on 10 March after taking over the prosecution.
Source: Premium Times/AllAfrica