The Department of State Services (DSS) has secured the appointment of a senior lawyer to lead the prosecution of Nigeria’s former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, and his son on charges of terrorism financing and illegal firearm possession. The development caused a delay in the long-awaited trial, which was adjourned to April 15.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that he had only received instructions from the DSS on Monday to take over the case. He requested an adjournment to study the file and meet with witnesses. “I need time to interface with the witnesses,” he stated. Defence counsel, Shuaibu Arua, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The charges, filed in 2026, centre on two main allegations. First, Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by failing to prosecute individuals whose case files were forwarded to him during his tenure as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Second, both Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, face counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition—specifically a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 rifle, 16 live cartridges, and 27 spent cartridges—found at their residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, in violation of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The case represents a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against a former cabinet minister who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer. The DSS, Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency, is prosecuting the matter. The trial’s commencement had been keenly anticipated following their arraignment.
With the prosecution now under a new lead counsel, the next hearing is set for April 15. The adjournment signals the formal start of a full trial that will scrutinise the actions of a senior former government official and his family regarding serious national security offences. The proceedings are expected to draw considerable public and legal attention.
