Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has strongly dismissed fresh allegations suggesting he was linked to terrorism financing. The claims originated from a SaharaReporters publication that listed him among several Nigerians allegedly associated with suspected terror financiers uncovered in a recent investigation.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Malami — a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) — rejected the report as unfounded, stressing that no Nigerian or international security agency has ever accused, investigated, or indicted him for terrorism financing. He added that the retired military officer cited in the story did not implicate him in any wrongdoing, describing the publication as a gross misrepresentation aimed at misleading the public.
Although Malami was not directly accused of terrorism-related activities during his time in office, his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to attract scrutiny, especially concerning the government’s handling of identified terrorism financiers.
In 2021, Malami announced that several influential Nigerians and business figures had been linked to terrorism financing and were being prepared for prosecution. At the time, he assured citizens that the government intended to pursue the issue vigorously. However, the identities of the implicated individuals were never revealed publicly, and no known prosecutions were initiated before Buhari’s administration concluded in May 2023 — a development that fuelled criticism and speculation.
EFCC Questioning and Broader Allegations
The renewed controversy comes on the heels of reports that Malami was recently questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged mismanagement of public funds, including portions of the recovered Abacha loot.
He honourably submitted himself for questioning on November 28, 2025, and was later released on administrative bail. Malami has maintained that the allegations are politically motivated and insisted that he has never been charged with any offence arising from the EFCC inquiry.
Malami Defends His Record on National Security
Reaffirming his contributions to national security, Malami highlighted his involvement in strengthening Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) frameworks. He cited his role in the enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 — legislation that modernised Nigeria’s legal response to terrorism and enhanced penalties for related crimes.
According to Malami, these reforms played a significant role in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list,” where countries under increased monitoring are placed.
He argued that such internationally recognised progress contradicts any suggestion that he or others driving the reforms could simultaneously be aiding or shielding terror financiers.
Calls for Responsible Journalism
Malami urged media organisations to exercise caution and accuracy, particularly when reporting on sensitive security issues. He warned that misinformation of this nature not only harms individual reputations but also undermines public trust in critical state institutions.
He reiterated that all interactions he had with stakeholders during his tenure were strictly professional and aligned with his responsibilities as Attorney-General. Any attempt to interpret such engagements as evidence of criminal conduct, he said, was both unfair and misleading.
Malami concluded by expressing his continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s justice and security architecture, emphasising that his record reflects service to the nation, not complicity in wrongdoing.
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