Nigeria's former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has issued a strong rebuttal against recent reports attempting to link him to terrorism financing. He labelled the allegations as baseless and driven by political agendas.
Malami's Firm Rejection of the Allegations
In a statement released on 6 December 2025, Malami, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, expressed deep concern over what he described as a "mischievous, speculative, and damaging" publication. He clarified that the security report in question did not actually accuse him of any wrongdoing.
The former minister categorically stated that he has never been accused, invited for questioning, investigated, or charged by any security or intelligence agency, either in Nigeria or internationally, concerning terrorism financing. He emphasized that the retired military officer referenced in the report had admitted to not accusing Malami or other named individuals of sponsoring terror.
Defending His Legacy on Anti-Terrorism Reforms
Malami shifted focus to his documented record in combating financial crimes linked to terrorism. He pointed to key legislative and institutional achievements during his tenure that strengthened Nigeria's framework against illicit funding.
He specifically cited three major reforms:
- The establishment of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as an autonomous body.
- The enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- The enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to Malami, these foundational reforms were instrumental in improving Nigeria's compliance with global standards, leading to the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. He argued that this international recognition contradicts any notion that he was colluding with terror financiers.
Caution and Legal Redress
The former Attorney-General warned against sensational journalism that could erode public trust in the nation's security institutions. He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and stated unequivocally that he reserves the right to pursue legal action against any entity that misrepresents his professional record or attacks his integrity.
"Terrorism financing is a grave crime. Any attempt to associate an individual with it must be grounded in verifiable facts, not conjecture or guilt by association," Malami concluded, framing the allegations as a politically engineered smear campaign.
