The Department of State Services has engaged Akinlolu Kehinde, a senior advocate to lead the prosecution of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, over alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, where the formal trial was to commence, Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the case was scheduled for a full-blown trial.
He, however, told the court that he had just received instructions from DSS to take over the prosecution of the case and therefore required time to confer with witnesses.
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday, and so I need time to interface with the witnesses.
“So I most humbly ask for another date,” he said.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr. Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the application for adjournment, prompting Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to shift the trial till April 15.
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The defendants were present in court when the matter came up before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The Department of State Services had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026 and filed before the court in Abuja, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were allegedly forwarded to him while he served as AGF and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of warehousing firearms at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
Specifically, the DSS alleged in count one that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute alleged financiers, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In counts two to five, Malami and his son were charged with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges.
The offences, according to the prosecuting agency, are contrary to and punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.
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