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Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has dismissed claims linking him to terrorism financing, following a publication that listed his name among alleged terror suspects and purported financiers.
In a Friday statement shared on his official social media pages, Malami described the allegations as unfounded and unfair. He stressed that no security or intelligence agency, within or outside Nigeria, has ever investigated, questioned, or charged him over terrorism financing or related offences.
He clarified that the retired military officer referenced in the report never accused him of funding terrorism, but merely mentioned possible business or institutional interactions involving some suspects—details which Malami said political actors later twisted into misleading narratives.
“Terrorism financing is a serious offence, and linking anyone to it must rely on verified facts, not speculation or guilt by association,” he said, warning against using routine official dealings to smear public figures.
Malami also highlighted reforms he led to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. These include establishing the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
He noted that these measures, achieved with support from the National Assembly, law enforcement agencies, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and international partners, contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list—evidence that contradicts claims suggesting complicity in terror financing.
While acknowledging the media’s importance, he urged journalists to report responsibly, especially on sensitive security matters, cautioning that reckless publications can damage reputations and erode public trust in national institutions.
