The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, to N200m bail each over alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling on their separate bail applications, held that the essence of bail was to ensure that defendants attend trial.

She consequently granted them bail in the sum of N200m each with two sureties in like sum.

The judge ordered that one of the sureties must own a developed landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, and deposit the title deed with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The sureties are also to depose to affidavits of means and submit two recent passport photographs.

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

The court, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till March 4 for commencement of trial.

The Department of State Services had arraigned Malami and Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, conduct preparatory to terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges at the last adjourned date.

At Friday’s proceedings, A.U. Igwe appeared for the prosecution, while J.B. Daudu (SAN) represented the defendants.

Daudu informed the court that he had filed two identical bail applications on behalf of his clients and urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

The prosecution, on its part, told the court that it had transmitted the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution and sought a date for trial.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the DSS accused Malami of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he served as AGF and Minister of Justice in November 2022.

The security agency further 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 rounds of 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.

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A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over a series of deadly attacks in Adamawa State, which claimed more than 20 lives in recent days.

The incidents, which took place in Madagali and Hong Local Government Areas, underscore the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria’s North-East region.

Atiku, a former Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate and influential political figure, made his reaction known on his official X account on Friday, highlighting both the human toll of the attacks and the broader implications for regional stability.

In his post, Atiku partly wrote, “I am deeply moved by the tragic attacks in Adamawa State, where gunmen killed over 20 people in a market in Madagali and Hong local government areas.”

Highlighting the broader impact of the attacks, Atiku further stated, “The attack not only highlights the worsening insecurity in the country but also deepens the North-East crisis.”

Urging prompt and decisive action from authorities, Atiku added, “I urge the authorities to redouble their efforts to address this menace, ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, and strengthen security to prevent future attacks.”

PUNCH Online reports that Adamawa State has long been a frontline in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, with the state government and security agencies struggling to contain attacks that target civilians, local markets, and schools. In recent years, the North-East has seen repeated assaults that disrupt economic activity and displace thousands of residents.

Madagali and Hong, like many parts of Adamawa State, have been vulnerable to raids and attacks over the past decade, largely due to the activities of Boko Haram and splinter groups that exploit porous borders and limited security infrastructure.

The attacks, reportedly carried out by unidentified gunmen, have drawn national attention, as the North-East continues to grapple with frequent insurgent and banditry-related violence.

Atiku’s call aligns with ongoing national discussions on improving intelligence gathering, expanding community policing, and ensuring adequate resources for the Nigerian military and paramilitary forces deployed in conflict-prone areas.

Experts have warned that without sustained interventions, attacks on civilians in markets and villages could escalate, further destabilising the North-East and straining federal and state responses.

Adamawa’s security challenges remain part of a broader regional crisis affecting neighbouring Borno, Yobe, and Taraba states, where insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.

A fresh twist emerged in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Friday, as a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that his earlier bail no longer stands following the reassignment of his case.

The court held that since the matter had commenced afresh before it, all previous proceedings — including the bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite — were deemed terminated, thereby requiring a fresh bail application.

PUNCH Online reports that the EFCC had filed a 16-count charge against the former AGF, over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets running into over N8.7 billion.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution, led by J.S. Okutepa, announced appearance and applied that the pleas of the defendants be taken on the amended 16-count charge.

Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Asabe, each pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial.

The defence, led by J.B. Daudu (SAN), however, asked the court to sustain the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Nwite, arguing that the Federal High Court is one court and that the defendants had already been admitted to bail.

Responding, the prosecution acknowledged that bail had previously been granted but argued that the new court retained the discretion to either adopt the earlier conditions or impose fresh ones.

He added that while he would not press the issue further, the court should impose conditions capable of ensuring the defendants’ attendance at trial.

Recall that the earlier bail conditions included N500m bail each, with one surety each who must own property in Maitama or Asokoro. The defendants were also required to deposit two international passports each with the court, while the residences of the sureties were to be verified by the Assistant Chief Registrar.

In her ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, held that where a case begins afresh due to reassignment, earlier proceedings are extinguished in law.

The defence conceded that there was no formal bail application before the court but sought to make an oral application.

The court declined, directing the defence to file a formal bail application and serve it on the prosecution, after which a short adjourned date would be given for hearing.

The defence further informed the court that fixing a trial date could pose difficulties because the first and second defendants were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services and were unreachable.

The court responded that it could not speculate on the position of any party and that the prosecution had a duty to ensure the defendants’ availability.

The prosecution, however, maintained that the defendants were not in its custody and that it could not compel the DSS to produce them.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till March 6 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of the trial.

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

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