ABUJA, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria – The Abubakar Malami trial continued with fresh updates today. Former Nigerian Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami faces serious accusations. He and his son pleaded not guilty to firearms charges.
Consequently, the Federal Government of Nigeria filed new charges against them. The Department of State Services (DSS) presented the official legal case. This domestic intelligence agency actively drives the Abubakar Malami trial forward.
Okay News reports that the Abubakar Malami trial occurred in Abuja. Specifically, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik presided over the Federal High Court session. She struck out the previous charges after reviewing the updates.
Furthermore, the court heard the amended charges on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The prosecution officially served this updated document on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Therefore, these new legal filings shape the current Abubakar Malami trial.
Background of the Abubakar Malami Trial
Previously, authorities arraigned the defendants on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Initially, the state accused both men of terrorism financing crimes. Moreover, these earlier accusations officially started the Abubakar Malami trial.
However, the amended charges focus heavily on physical weapons now. The state claims the men prepared to commit violent terrorist acts. Investigators found the alleged weapons in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria.
Prosecution counsel Akinlolu Kehinde manages the Abubakar Malami trial updates. He urged the federal judge to substitute the older criminal charges. Consequently, this legal maneuver allowed the accused men to enter fresh pleas.
Meanwhile, defense counsel Shaibu Arua confirmed receiving the new court documents. He quickly requested that his clients maintain their current bail status. Fortunately, the prosecution did not oppose this specific legal application.
Court Proceedings in the Abubakar Malami Trial
Subsequently, Justice Abdulmalik granted the defense team’s bail request today. She allowed the father and son to remain legally on bail. Finally, she scheduled the next Abubakar Malami trial hearings for 9:00 a.m. West Africa Time (WAT, GMT+1) on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Next, court officials read the exact amended charges aloud. Additionally, the Abubakar Malami trial records state the following legal accusations. Thus, the prosecution detailed the exact locations and specific items found.
The first count accuses the men of possessing illegal firearms. The Abubakar Malami trial record states the charge exactly as follows. “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Official Counts from the Abubakar Malami Trial
Furthermore, the second count details an alleged criminal conspiracy. The prosecution presented the following accusation during the Abubakar Malami trial. “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.”
Moreover, the third count focuses purely on the recovered firearm. The official Abubakar Malami trial charge sheet reads exactly as follows. “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
Similarly, the fourth count highlights the live ammunition found onsite. The Abubakar Malami trial document contains the following specific wording. “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
Finally, the fifth count addresses the used bullet casings recovered. The prosecution read the final Abubakar Malami trial charge to the defendants. “That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
