Nigeria Drops Terrorism Financing Charges Against Former Justice Minister Malami

Nigerian authorities have withdrawn terrorism financing charges against former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, leaving only charges of illegal possession of firearms against him and his son, both of whom have pleaded not guilty. The amended case follows earlier allegations linking him to terrorism financing and other financial crimes. The matter remains ongoing, alongside separate investigations by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency into alleged money laundering.

Nigerian authorities have withdrawn terrorism financing charges against former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, according to his lawyer, marking a major change in an ongoing legal case that has drawn wide public attention in the country.
The original charges alleged that Malami “knowingly” facilitated terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute individuals suspected of funding terrorist activities, even when related case files were reportedly submitted to his office during his tenure as attorney-general and minister of justice between November 2015 and May 2023. The accusations placed him at the centre of a politically sensitive case involving allegations of state-level negligence in addressing terrorism-related financing networks.
However, during recent court proceedings, the prosecution amended the charge sheet, removing all references to terrorism financing. In its place, the revised charges now focus solely on allegations of illegal possession of firearms. According to Malami’s lawyer, Adedayo Adedeji, the amended charges significantly narrowed the scope of the case, shifting it away from national security-related accusations.
Malami and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, are now accused of possessing an unlicensed pistol and ammunition allegedly found at the former minister’s residence. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the revised charges, maintaining their innocence. Their legal team has argued that the case should be strictly assessed based on evidence relating to the firearms allegations, following the removal of the more serious terrorism-related accusations.
Officials from Nigeria’s Department of State Services reportedly confirmed in court that the terrorism financing allegations had been dropped, while the firearms-related charges would proceed. The development suggests a reassessment of the initial case framework and indicates that prosecutors may have decided to pursue a narrower legal strategy moving forward.
The case forms part of a broader wave of legal actions involving senior figures from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Malami is also facing separate investigations by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which has accused him, along with members of his family, of involvement in alleged money laundering activities amounting to about 8.7 billion naira (approximately $6.5 million). He has denied all allegations.
He was previously granted bail in relation to the amended charges, and the case remains ongoing in court. Alongside Malami, other former top officials, including ex-central bank governor Godwin Emefiele and former labour minister Chris Ngige, are also facing trial over various corruption and financial misconduct allegations, reflecting a wider anti-corruption drive targeting senior figures from the previous administration.
The removal of the terrorism financing charges represents a significant shift in Malami’s case, but the remaining firearms-related prosecution and separate financial investigations ensure that the legal proceedings against him are far from concluded.