By Muhammad Mamman
Former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), and former Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) have described recent claims linking them to terrorism financing as “baseless, fabricated, and orchestrated to mislead the public.”
The trio came under scrutiny following online reports alleging their involvement in funnelling funds to terror groups. However, in separate statements issued on Monday, they dismissed the accusations as politically motivated falsehoods aimed at damaging their reputations.
Emefiele condemned the report as “a reckless attempt to rewrite events with outright lies,” insisting that all financial activities under his leadership at the CBN were subject to strict regulatory oversight. He urged the public to disregard the claims, describing them as “malicious propaganda.”
Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer for eight years, also refuted the allegations, stating that his record in office demonstrates a “consistent commitment to national security, counter-terrorism efforts, and the rule of law.” He maintained that the publication lacked evidence and was designed solely to stir controversy.
Similarly, Buratai dismissed the claims as “utterly unfounded,” noting that his tenure as Army Chief was marked by extensive military operations targeting insurgency and banditry. He insisted that no serious investigation would associate him with the financing of groups he fought against.
The three former officials called on security agencies to investigate the source of the publication and take action against what they described as an attempt to misinform Nigerians and malign public officials without proof.
They also encouraged the public and media outlets to rely on verified information, warning that the spread of unsubstantiated allegations undermines national security efforts and erodes public trust.
