- Former AGF Malami Faults Report Alleging Link To Terror Suspects.
- He says no agency has ever investigated or accused him formally.
- He cites his role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-terror and financial laws.
A former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has firmly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing after a SaharaReporters publication listed him among Nigerians allegedly connected to terror financiers.
The report claimed that two suspects arrested in a counter-terrorism operation were “linked to” Malami and other prominent figures.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, rejected the allegations and said no Nigerian or international agency had ever accused, investigated, invited, or charged him for terrorism financing. He described the publication as misleading and politically motivated.
Malami stated, “My attention has been drawn to a recent publication in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of terrorism financing and so-called ‘links’ to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers. 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.”
He noted that the retired military officer cited as the publication’s main source openly admitted he was not accusing Malami or the other individuals of financing terrorism. Instead, the officer’s remarks were limited to vague claims of “business” or “institutional” relationships, which Malami said were framed in a way that misled the public.
He stressed that terrorism financing is a serious crime that requires verifiable evidence, not speculation or insinuation. He added that his record as Attorney-General contradicts any claim of wrongdoing, noting his role in strengthening Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and terror financing.
Malami highlighted reforms undertaken during his tenure, including the establishment of an autonomous Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the enactment of the Money Laundering Act 2022, and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. He said these efforts improved Nigeria’s compliance with international standards while enhancing coordination among security, financial, and regulatory institutions.
