Abubakar Malami, SAN, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing, calling them unfounded, deceptive, and politically driven.
In a statement released on Friday, Malami stated that he was drawn to a publication alleging that he and other individuals had ties to those characterized as terror suspects or alleged financiers.
The newspaper had referenced Malami’s name in relation to claims of terrorism financing and “links” to those labeled as terror suspects or alleged funders.
However, the former minister rejected the charges as “unfounded, unfair, and contrary to both my record in public office and objective facts.”
Malami insisted that he had never been accused, invited, interviewed, or probed by any security, law enforcement, or intelligence organization in or outside Nigeria for terrorism financing or any other connected offense.
He said, “First, I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated, or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory, or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offense.
“Secondly, even the retired military officer cited as the principal source in the said publication categorically admitted that he was not accusing me, or other named individuals, of financing terrorism.
“His own account, as reported, was limited to a vague assertion that certain suspects allegedly had some form of ‘business’ or ‘institutional’ relationship with various persons.
“That important clarification was, unfortunately, overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions, which was, unfortunately, politically manipulated by my political opponents to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing.
“Terrorism financing is a grave crime with devastating consequences for national security and human life. Any attempt—whether by direct allegation or indirect innuendo—to associate an individual with such an offense must be grounded in verifiable facts, due process, and lawful findings, not in conjecture, speculation, or guilt by association.
“To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.”
He emphasized major reforms he oversaw as Attorney-General, such as the formation of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the passage of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Malami noted that these measures, including enhanced collaboration among institutions such as the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and law enforcement entities, helped Nigeria to get off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list.
He said, “During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.”
Malami further stated that engaging with a diverse range of people is a regular part of public service and should not be interpreted as evidence of misconduct.
He urged the media to be responsible while reporting on national security issues, saying that negligent coverage might harm reputations and weaken trust in government institutions.
Malami underlined his adherence to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international commitments, stating that he reserves the right to seek redress if any publication misrepresents his role in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
