Malami opens up on report linking him to terrorism financing

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has refuted reports linking him to terrorism financing, insisting the claims are unfounded and pushed for political reasons.

In a statement issued on Friday, Malami said he became aware of a publication alleging that he and several others were connected to individuals described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

The report referenced his name while raising allegations of terrorism funding and supposed “links” to the individuals mentioned.

Describing the claims as “unfounded, unfair and contrary to both my record in public office and objective facts,” the former minister stressed that no security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency—either in Nigeria or abroad—had ever accused, invited or investigated him over terrorism financing or related offences.

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.”

Malami further noted that the retired military officer cited in the report had, according to the publication itself, acknowledged that he was not accusing Malami or the other individuals of funding terrorism. Instead, the officer was said to have spoken only about vague “business” or “institutional” contacts that certain suspects allegedly had with various people.

He said the critical nuance was lost in a headline and framing that, in his view, misled readers and allowed political opponents to exploit the story for “mischievous insinuations” suggesting his involvement in terrorism financing.

Malami emphasised the seriousness of terrorism financing and warned against careless or speculative reporting. “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,” he said.

He argued that legitimate professional or institutional interactions should not be misinterpreted as evidence of wrongdoing, adding, “For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.”

Malami pointed to significant reforms championed during his tenure, including the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He said these measures strengthened coordination among bodies such as the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria and law-enforcement agencies, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s removal from 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.”

According to him, it is normal for public officials to engage with a wide range of individuals, and such interactions should not be twisted to imply wrongdoing.

He urged the media to act responsibly, warning that inaccurate or sensational reports on national security issues could harm reputations and erode trust in public institutions.

Malami reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and to Nigeria’s international obligations, adding that he reserves the right to seek legal redress over any publication that misrepresents his efforts in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.