- The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N200 million bail each to former AGF Abubakar Malami and his son in a terrorism financing and firearms case
- The bail conditions require sureties with developed property in Maitama or Asokoro and deposit of title deeds and affidavits of means
- However, the defendants are ordered to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met with trial slated to begin March 4
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 27, has granted bail of N200 million each to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, in a terrorism financing and firearms possession case, marking the latest development in a trial that has seen shifting procedural rulings and fresh charges.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja admitted the defendants to bail on Friday, stressing that the purpose of bail was to ensure their attendance at trial.
Each defendant must provide two sureties in like sum, one of whom must own a developed landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and deposit the title deed with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
The sureties are also required to submit affidavits of means and recent passport photographs, while Malami and his son must deposit their international passports with the court.
The defendants were ordered to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The trial was adjourned to March 4 for commencement.
The charges were brought by the Department of State Services, which accused Malami of allegedly failing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose files were forwarded to his office during his tenure as AGF in 2022.
The agency also alleged that in December 2025, Malami and his son unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition at their residence in Kebbi State, conduct said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.
In a separate but related twist, the court had earlier voided a previous bail granted in the case after the matter was reassigned and commenced afresh.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that prior proceedings, including earlier bail conditions, were terminated by the reassignment, requiring a new application. The defence sought to maintain the earlier bail terms granted by another judge, but the court insisted on a fresh application.
When the defence attempted an oral application for bail, the court declined and directed that a formal application be filed and served on the prosecution.
The matter was adjourned to March 6 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
The prosecution argued that although bail had previously been granted, the court retained discretion to impose fresh conditions to secure attendance at trial.
Meanwhile, the defence stated that fixing a trial date would be difficult as Malami and his son remained in DSS custody and were unreachable.
The prosecution maintained that the defendants were not in its custody and that it could not compel their production.
Alongside the terrorism financing allegations, the defendants face additional charges of money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets estimated at over N8.7 billion in a separate 16-count indictment. Malami, his son, and his wife, Asabe, all pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered Malami and his son to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings.
The case continues to draw public attention as it unfolds, with the court scheduled to resume hearings in the coming weeks.