Ex-AGF Abubakar Malami Denies Alleged Link To Terrorism Financing

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has rejected claims linking him to terrorism financing, calling the allegations false, misleading, and politically motivated.

In a statement on Friday, Malami responded to a publication that suggested he and others had ties to individuals described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

He said the allegations were “unfounded and unfair” and did not reflect his record in public office or the facts.

Malami emphasized that he has never been accused, questioned, investigated, or charged by any Nigerian or international security or law enforcement agency over terrorism financing or related crimes.

He explained that even the retired military officer cited as the source in the story did not accuse him or the other named individuals of financing terrorism.

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 offence.

“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 offence 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.”

Abubakar Malami highlighted reforms he led as Attorney-General, including creating the independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and enacting the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He said these measures strengthened coordination among the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other law-enforcement agencies, helping Nigeria exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey 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.”

He also stressed that working with a wide range of people is normal in public service and should not be misinterpreted as wrongdoing

The former AGF called on the media to report responsibly on national security issues, warning that careless reporting could damage reputations and public trust.

Malami reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international obligations and said he would take action against any publication that misrepresents his role in fighting money laundering and terrorism financing.

KanyiDaily recalls that Abubakar Malami previously revealed that he honored an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS) over the attack on his convoy in Kebbi State.