Terrorism Financing Charges Dropped Against Former Justice Minister

Nigerian authorities have dropped terrorism financing charges against former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, shifting the case to allegations of illegal possession of firearms.

Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, is now facing a revised charge sheet centred on weapons reportedly recovered from his residence in Birnin Kebbi, north-west Nigeria.

During a court hearing on Wednesday, Malami, 58, and his son, Abdulaziz, both pleaded not guilty to the amended charges. Prosecuting counsel for the Department of State Services, Akinlolu Kehinde, informed the court that the earlier terrorism-related charges had been withdrawn.

Defence counsel Shaibu Aruwa confirmed receipt of the updated charges and raised no objection to their presentation in court.

Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, ruled that both defendants would remain on bail set at N500 million each, with their international passports deposited with the court. The matter has been adjourned until May 26 for trial.

In a separate development, Malami is also facing money laundering charges alongside his wife and son. The former minister has maintained that the legal actions against him are politically motivated, alleging they are linked to his defection from the All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress.

The cases have continued to attract widespread public attention across Nigeria.