Malami and son granted ₦200m bail each by the Federal High Court...

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, in the sum of ₦200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the two defendants to provide two sureties each in like sum.

The court further directed that one of the sureties must present the title deed of a developed property located in either Asokoro or Maitama, Abuja.

As part of the bail conditions, the defendants were also ordered to deposit their international passports with the court.

CBI News reports that Malami and his son were arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The Department of State Services accused the former AGF of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General for action.

According to the charge sheet, Malami allegedly “knowingly abetted terrorism financing” by declining to initiate prosecution against the suspects, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The DSS further alleged that Malami and his son were found in possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without a licence.

The prosecution argued that possession of the firearm and ammunition amounted to preparing to commit an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Counsel to the prosecution, A.U. Igwe, informed the court that the case file had been transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution for further handling.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to March 4 for hearing.