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| Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, SAN, refutes terrorism financing insinuations and outlines his contributions to Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms. |
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has strongly denied insinuations linking him to terrorism financing, insisting that he has never been accused, invited, interrogated or investigated by any security, intelligence or regulatory agency in Nigeria or abroad for any offence relating to the financing of terrorism.
In a detailed statement issued in response to a recent publication, Malami described the claims as misleading and politically motivated, stressing that the narrative was constructed to create damaging impressions without factual basis. He explained that even the retired military officer cited as the primary source of the publication admitted that he did not accuse Malami or any other person mentioned of financing terrorism. According to Malami, the officer merely referenced vague “institutional” or “business” relationships involving some suspects—a point he said was irresponsibly amplified into insinuations of wrongdoing.
Malami criticised what he called “headline-driven distortions” designed to mislead the public and weaponised by political opponents for mischievous purposes. He described terrorism financing as a serious national security threat, arguing that no responsible individual should be associated with such allegations without verifiable evidence and due process. He condemned any attempt to link lawful professional interactions to criminal activity through speculation or guilt by association.
The former Attorney-General maintained that his public record contradicts any suggestion of complicity in terrorism financing. He highlighted the major legal and institutional reforms he spearheaded during his tenure, particularly in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework.
Malami noted that Nigeria established an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) during his administration to meet global standards and restore the country’s standing within the international financial intelligence community. He recalled that the NFIU Act provided the autonomy and operational structure required for effective monitoring and reporting of suspicious financial transactions.
He further pointed to the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which replaced the older 2011 Act and introduced a more robust and comprehensive legal framework against money laundering and related offences. According to him, the law was designed to close loopholes, strengthen compliance obligations, and enhance Nigeria’s ability to detect and prevent illicit financial flows.
Malami also emphasised his involvement in the passage and implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The Act modernised Nigeria’s counter-terrorism legal regime, updated offences and penalties, and introduced stronger provisions specifically targeting the financing of terrorism in accordance with United Nations resolutions and international best practices.
In addition to legislative reforms, Malami said his office worked closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the NFIU, law-enforcement agencies and foreign partners to improve coordination, information-sharing, regulatory compliance and operational synergy across Nigeria’s AML/CFT ecosystem. According to him, these efforts played a significant role in Nigeria’s eventual exit from the FATF grey list, demonstrating the country’s improved compliance with global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.
Malami reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law, transparency, and the fight against terrorism and its financial enablers. He urged the public and the media to exercise responsibility by relying on verified facts rather than politically coloured insinuations that undermine national security efforts.
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