The federal government has revised its case against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, removing earlier allegations of terrorism financing and replacing them with a charge centred on unlawful possession of firearms.
At Wednesday’s court proceedings, counsel to the Department of State Services, Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court that the initial charge had been amended and sought approval to substitute it with a revised one.
The new charge focuses solely on the alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
Counsel to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa, confirmed that both Malami and his son had been served with the updated charge and raised no objection to it being read in court.
Following this, the amended charge was read, and both defendants entered a plea of not guilty.
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Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, subsequently ruled that the defendants should continue under the bail conditions earlier granted to them on February 27.
The court adjourned the matter to May 26 and June 15 for trial.
According to the revised charge, security operatives allegedly recovered firearms and live cartridges from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.
The former AGF and his son were initially arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge that included accusations of terrorism financing alongside the firearms-related offences.
At the time, the DSS had accused Malami of failing to act on case files involving suspected terrorism financiers reportedly forwarded to his office for prosecution.
Both defendants were later granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million each, with two sureties in like sum.