ABUJA – In a significant legal pivot, Nigerian authorities have withdrawn high-profile terrorism financing charges against former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Malami, a central figure in the previous administration, had been accused earlier this year of “knowingly” abetting terrorism by allegedly refusing to prosecute known financiers despite receiving their case files. However, during a court appearance on Wednesday, the legal landscape for the former minister shifted dramatically.
Charges Amended to Firearms Possession
Adedayo Adedeji, Malami’s lead counsel, confirmed to reporters outside the Abuja court that the government has scrubbed the terrorism financing allegations from the official indictment.
“We were served with an amended charge… expunging that part that has to do with terrorism financing and limiting it to possession of firearms,” Adedeji stated.
The remaining charges involve Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, regarding the alleged possession of an unlicensed pistol and ammunition found at their residence. Both men have pleaded not guilty to these illegal firearms charges.
A Growing List of Legal Battles
Despite the withdrawal of the terrorism-related counts, Malami’s legal troubles are far from over. The former minister, who held office from 2015 to 2023, is currently embroiled in several other high-stakes cases:
- Money Laundering: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Malami, his wife, and his son of laundering approximately 8.7 billion naira (roughly $6.5 million).
- Corruption Probe: Malami is one of several heavyweights from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet currently facing trial. This list includes former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele and ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige, both of whom are defending themselves against various fraud and financial crime allegations.
Context of the Crackdown
The prosecution of these top-tier officials marks a turbulent chapter for the legacy of the Buhari administration, which originally rose to power on a staunch anti-corruption platform.
While Malami was granted bail on the original charges in February, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that the focus of this specific prosecution will now remain strictly on the firearms violations.
