FG drops terrorism financing charges against Malami

The federal government has amended charges filed against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing. Malami was earlier this year charged with “knowingly” abetting “terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office”. His lawyer, […]

The federal government has amended charges filed against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing.

Malami was earlier this year charged with “knowingly” abetting “terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office”.

His lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji, told reporters outside court on Wednesday that “we were served with an amended charge, expunging that part that has to do with terrorism financing and limiting it to possession of firearms”.

At the court session on Wednesday, Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), informed the court about the amended charge, which borders on illegal possession of firearms.

In the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that arms and live cartridges were found in Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Shaibu Aruwa, counsel to the defendants, confirmed that his clients were served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.

Consequently, the amended charge was read to the defendants, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, allowed the defendants to continue on the bail terms and conditions granted to them on February 27.

The case has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

In January, the country’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accused him, along with his wife and son, of laundering money worth 8.7 billion naira.