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FG Drops Terrorism Financing Charges Against Malami and Son

At the Federal High Court in Abuja the prosecution formally withdrew the original five-count charge of alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms that was filed by the Department of State Services.‎‎

Published

3 months ago

April 15, 2026

OCHEFA

174 Views

The Federal Government has withdrawn the allegations of terrorism financing against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.‎‎

The charges were dropped Wednesday in court, leaving only counts related to unlawful possession of firearms.‎‎

Prosecutor, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who is representing the current Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the government has filed a fresh amended five-count charge dated 14th April.‎‎

Former Minister Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, took a fresh plea before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the amended counts.‎‎

The court admitted them to bail on the same terms previously granted and adjourned the matter to the 26th of May and 15th of June for the commencement of trial.‎‎

This latest twist significantly narrows the case against the former chief law officer of the federation and his son.

In the former charge Malami was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office as AGF (around November 2022), in breach of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.‎‎

The other charges in the previous five counts:

In December 2025, at their home in Kebbi State, they allegedly possessed without a license a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges. This is framed as conduct in preparation for an act of terrorism under the Terrorism Act and Firearms Act.‎‎‎

AMENDED CHARGE‎‎S

COUNT ONE ‎

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.‎‎

COUNT TWO ‎

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.

‎‎COUNT THREE

‎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.‎‎

COUNT FOUR ‎

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.‎‎

COUNT FIVE ‎

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.

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LASEMA rescues 12, 3 dead bodies at Ajuwon building collapse

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident…

Published

3 hours ago

July 28, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said Tuesday twelve persons have been rescued alive, while three bodies have been recovered while search and rescue operations are ongoing at the collapsed building in Ajuwon, a border community between Ogun and Lagos State.

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident, said that following the approval of Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, LASEMA deployed its specialised rescue team and heavy equipment to support the Ogun State Government and other responding agencies.

” Working alongside officials of the Ogun State Government, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and other stakeholders, 12 persons were rescued from the rubble and three bodies have been recovered,” he said.

According to him, the operation is now at ground zero, with responders excavating below the foundation level to ensure no victim remains trapped before the operation is concluded.

An adjoining bungalow, compromised by the collapse, will also be carefully demolished to eliminate the risk of a secondary collapse.

LASEMA commends the collaboration among all responding agencies and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Agency also urges property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and carry out periodic structural integrity assessments to prevent similar incidents.

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Billionaire Dangote to donate one-third of wealth to philanthropy,says daughter

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

Published

10 hours ago

July 28, 2026

OCHEFA

25 Views

[File photo): Aliko Dangote and his daughters

Halima Dangote, the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans by her father to donate one-third of his wealth to charity.

Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday.

According to her, the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 percent of his estate to philanthropy.

Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.

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BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped

Published

19 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Charles Flames

26 Views

A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.

The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.

According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.

Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.

The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.

Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.

Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.