Breaking: FG Drops Controversial Charge Against Buhari's Ex-Minister
- Federal Government drops terrorism charges against ex-AGF Abubakar Malami and son, replacing them with firearm possession charges
- Defendants plead not guilty to amended charges; granted bail under specific conditions by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik
- The court then adjourned the case until May and June for further trial, as Malami and son await fulfilment of bail terms
The Federal Government has announced an amendment to the charges filed against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, as it removed the allegation of terrorism financing.
Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), announced the development and applied a substitute for the former charge during a court session on Wednesday, April 15.
Source: Twitter
According to The Cable, the new amended charge bordered on the illegal possession of firearms.
Malami served an amended charge
On his part, counsel to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa, confirmed that the former minister had been served with the amendment and accepted that the fresh charge should be read to the defendant. At the same time, the amended charge was read to the defendants, and they pleaded not guilty.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, then allowed Malami and his son to continue on their bail terms as well as the conditions granted to them on February 27. The judge then adjourned the case to May 26 and June 15 for the trial to continue.
In the newly amended charge, the former minister was accused of having arms and live cartridges at his residence in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi state capital.
Court grants bail to Malami and son
Last month, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the bail application of Malami and his son, Abdulaziz. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the trial court granted the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum as bail conditions to each of the defendants.
Part of the bail conditions ordered by the court was that one of the sureties had to deposit title deeds of properties they have in either the Maitama or Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also, the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court. They are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until they meet their bail conditions.
Justice Abdulmalik of the trial court then adjourned the case to March 16, when the hearing will commence in full.
The Federal High Court in Abuja earlier remanded the family after they appeared in court over an N8.7 billion corruption charge. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the trial court ordered that the former minister and son should be returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, while his wife was asked to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.
Source: Twitter
Malami asks EFCC chairman to recuse himself
Legit.ng earlier reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari's minister of justice and AGF, Abubakar Malami, has called on the current chairman of the EFCC to recuse himself from his investigation.
Malami gave the reason for demanding that the EFCC chairman step aside in his matter and called on the AGF and Minister of Justice to take action.
The former minister also claimed that he was being witch-hunted by the EFCC over his defection from the ruling APC to the ADC.
Source: Legit.ng
