BREAKING: AGF Fagbemi Takes Over Prosecution in Malami Terrorism, Firearms Case

By Tgnews Reporter

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has officially assumed control of the prosecution against his predecessor, former AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son Abdulaziz Malami in a high-profile case involving allegations of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The development occurred on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

During proceedings where the trial was expected to commence, Fagbemi appeared through the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

Oyedepo informed the court that the AGF had just taken over the matter from the Department of State Services (DSS), which had initially filed and prosecuted the case.

He explained that the case file was recently transferred to the AGF’s office, requiring time for thorough review to enable an informed decision on how to proceed.

Counsel to Malami, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), expressed frustration over the delay and urged the judge to strike out the charges at the next hearing if the federal government presented further excuses.

Oyedepo countered that such a request was premature and asked the court to disregard it.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to March 10, 2026, for the trial to be formally opened under the AGF’s prosecution.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, stems from a five-count charge filed by the DSS. Malami faces one count of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose files were submitted to his office in November 2022, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Malami and his son are jointly charged in the remaining counts with conduct preparatory to terrorism and unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, in December 2025. These are alleged to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

On February 27, 2026, the court granted each defendant N200 million bail with stringent conditions, including two sureties (one owning property in Maitama or Asokoro), deposit of property titles, submission of international passports, affidavits of means, and passport photographs.

The defendants pleaded not guilty when arraigned in early February 2026 and have remained on bail pending trial.

The takeover by the AGF signals a shift in handling the sensitive case, which has drawn significant public attention due to Malami’s prominent role in the previous administration.