The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, bail in the sum of N200 million each in a terrorism financing and firearms case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

However, the ex-minister was remanded in a correctional centre over a separate 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at over N8.7 billion.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while ruling on the separate bail applications filed by Malami and his son, held that the primary purpose of bail is to ensure that defendants attend their trial. She granted each defendant bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court ordered that one of the sureties must own a developed property in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and deposit the title deed with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs.

Malami and his son were further directed to deposit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.

Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the court ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until March 4 for the commencement of trial.

The DSS had earlier arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, conduct preparatory to terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the DSS alleged that Malami knowingly abetted terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice in November 2022.

The agency also alleged that in December 2025, Malami and his son engaged in conduct preparatory to terrorism by unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Firearms Act, 2004.

At the proceedings, A.U. Igwe represented the prosecution, while Joseph Daudu, SAN, appeared for the defendants.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdulmalik voided the earlier bail granted to Malami in his money laundering trial following the reassignment of the case. The court held that since the matter commenced afresh before her, all previous proceedings — including the bail earlier granted by Justice Emeka Nwite — were deemed terminated in law.

During the resumed hearing, the prosecution, led by J.S. Okutepa, applied that the pleas of the defendants be taken on the amended 16-count charge. Malami, his son, and his wife, Asabe Malami, each pleaded not guilty.

The defence urged the court to retain the earlier bail conditions, arguing that the Federal High Court is a single court and that the defendants had previously been admitted to bail.

However, the prosecution maintained that the new court had discretion to either adopt earlier bail conditions or impose fresh ones to ensure their attendance at trial.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that where a case begins afresh due to reassignment, earlier proceedings are extinguished. She directed the defence to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter until March 6 for hearing of the application and commencement of trial.

The court ordered that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.