A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed proceedings involving former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, scheduling the next hearing for early May. Both defendants were granted conditional release after the court approved bail set at approximately $147,000 each.
The pair face terrorism-related accusations and charges connected to unlawful possession of firearms. The case was initiated by the Department of State Services, Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency. Defense counsel confirmed that the accused have entered not-guilty pleas on all counts.
Additional Financial Crime Allegations
Separate from the security-related case, Malami, alongside members of his family, is confronting a 16-count indictment filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Prosecutors allege involvement in money laundering activities and the illicit acquisition of assets valued at more than $6 million.
These financial crime allegations add another layer to the legal challenges facing the former minister, who served as attorney general and justice minister from late 2015 until mid-2023 under former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Broader Anti-Corruption Context
Malami is among several senior figures from the previous administration to be drawn into judicial scrutiny. Nigerian authorities have intensified efforts to pursue high-profile corruption cases, signaling continued focus on accountability within government ranks.
The proceedings unfold against a backdrop of long-running security challenges. For more than a decade, Nigeria has contended with an insurgency that has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities and displaced nearly two million people. The terrorism-related charges therefore carry heightened sensitivity within a country still grappling with instability and conflict.
The upcoming court session is expected to determine the next steps in a case that intersects issues of national security, governance, and anti-corruption enforcement.
