By Sochima Agbo 

The Federal Government has withdrawn the terrorism financing charges earlier filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, replacing them with a new charge of illegal possession of arms and ammunition.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution team, led by Akinlolu Kehinde, notified the court of its decision to amend the charge, alleging that firearms and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Both defendants were subsequently re-arraigned and entered fresh pleas of not guilty to the amended five-count charge.

Defence counsel, Shuaibu Arua, did not oppose the change in charges but appealed for the continuation of the bail earlier granted to the defendants, a request the prosecution did not contest.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the existing bail conditions granted on February 27 should remain in effect.

The court adjourned the case to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

Malami, who served during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was initially accused of facilitating terrorism financing by allegedly failing to act on cases involving suspected financiers.

The charges were instituted by the Department of State Services, which also accused the defendants of unlawful possession of firearms under relevant laws.