Malami Faults Terror-Financing Claim, Says Report Politically Driven

 

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the weekend dismissed reports linking him to terrorism financing, describing the publication as misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement on Saturday, Malami said his attention was drawn to a report alleging that he and other prominent Nigerians were connected to terror suspects through business or institutional relationships.

The report, published by SaharaReporters on December 5 and titled “Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others – Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)”, drew from comments attributed to Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd.), who once headed Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency counter-terrorism task force established in 2021 to track Boko Haram financiers.

Malami firmly rejected the suggestion of wrongdoing, insisting that no security, intelligence, or regulatory agency—within or outside Nigeria—has ever invited, interrogated, or investigated him for terrorism financing or any related offence.

He explained that even the retired general whose remarks formed the basis of the report did not accuse him or the others of financing terrorism, but only noted that certain suspects had past professional interactions with some officials.

“That critical clarification was buried beneath a sensational headline capable of misleading the public. Unfortunately, my political opponents seized on it to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing,” he said.

The former AGF noted that terrorism financing is a grave allegation that must rest on verifiable facts and lawful findings, not speculation or guilt by association.

Malami said his record in office contradicts any suggestion of complicity, citing major reforms he initiated, including the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), as well as the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. These, he added, strengthened Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework and contributed to the nation’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

He emphasised that broad engagement with individuals and institutions is part of public service and should not be misinterpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.

Malami urged the media to act responsibly, warning that careless reporting could damage reputations and undermine confidence in state institutions. He added that he reserves the right to seek legal redress over any publication that misrepresents his role in Nigeria’s fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.