By Zainab Bakare
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, have pleaded not guilty to an amended five-count charge filed by the Federal Government over alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The duo entered their plea on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after the prosecution substituted the earlier charge with a revised one dated April 14, 2026.
Prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, told the court that the amended charge had been duly served on the defendants and sought its adoption. Defence counsel, Shaibu Arua, raised no objection.
The court subsequently struck out the initial charge and ordered that the amended counts be read, to which both defendants again pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly possessed a Sturm Magnum firearm, live cartridges, and expended ammunition in December 2025 at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, without a valid licence. The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.
The court retained the earlier bail conditions earlier granted to the defendants after the prosecution did not oppose the defence application.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 26 and June 16, 2026, for trial.
