DSS Arraigns Malami and Son for Terrorism and Illegal Firearms Possession
In a dramatic legal escalation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, officially presented grave allegations against the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN. The DSS arraigns Malami and son for terrorism financing and the illegal possession of firearms before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marking a historic fall from grace for the man who served as the nation’s chief law officer for eight years.
Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a five-count charge that directly links the former minister to the deliberate shielding of terror sponsors.
The courtroom was tightly secured as the prosecution, led by Calistus Eze, detailed how Malami allegedly used his high office to stall the wheels of justice. The charges suggest a systematic failure to prosecute known threats to national security, a move the DSS characterizes as a “knowing abetment” of terrorism.
The five-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, paints a chilling picture of institutional compromise and private stockpiling of weaponry. According to the charge sheet, the senior Malami committed a felony in November 2022 by allegedly refusing to prosecute high-profile terrorism financiers despite receiving comprehensive case files for their trial.Specific details from the arraignment include:
- Abetment of Terrorism Financing: The prosecution alleges that Malami’s refusal to act on dossiers of terror sponsors contravened Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- Illegal Firearms Stockpiling: The DSS claimed that during a raid on the Malamis’ residence in the Gesse Phase II area of Birnin Kebbi, operatives recovered a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm and several live rounds of cartridges.
- Ammunition Recovery: Beyond the firearm, the secret police listed 16 live rounds and 27 expended Redstar cartridges, allegedly held without the required lawful license or authority.
Both Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz pleaded “not guilty” to all counts read to them. Following the plea, the defense counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, made a spirited attempt to secure their freedom through an oral bail application. He argued that the father and son had already endured two weeks in DSS custody and were brought to the court directly from a medical facility, suggesting their health was at risk.
However, the prosecution vigorously opposed the move, insisting on a formal application that would allow the state to respond to the specifics of the bail request. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld the prosecution’s objection, emphasizing the weight of the charges. She directed the defense to file a written motion and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS.
This arraignment is merely the latest chapter in a broader crackdown. Just weeks prior, on January 19, 2026, Malami was re-arrested by DSS operatives immediately after perfecting bail conditions in a separate case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In that matter, Malami, his wife, and son face a 16-count charge involving the alleged laundering of over N8.7 billion between 2015 and 2025.
The intersection of financial crimes and national security allegations suggests a comprehensive investigation into Malami’s tenure. If convicted on the terrorism-related charges, the former AGF faces severe penalties under the 2022 Act, which was ironically signed into law during his time in office.
The spectacle of a former Attorney General standing in the dock to answer for terrorism-related offenses represents a significant moment for the Nigerian judiciary. As the case is adjourned to February 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial, the public remains divided on whether this is a genuine quest for accountability or a politically motivated purge. Regardless of the outcome, the case against the Malamis has redefined the boundaries of executive immunity and the long reach of national security laws in post-Buhari Nigeria.