A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has strongly rejected allegations linking him to terrorism financing, describing the claims as baseless and driven by political motives. The senior advocate spoke out after a recent publication suggested connections between him and individuals described as terror suspects.
Malami addressed the matter in a statement released on Friday, December 6, 2025, saying his attention had been drawn to reports that mentioned his name alongside allegations of terrorism financing. The former minister expressed concern that the publication could mislead Nigerians into drawing false conclusions about his record in public service.
The allegations appear to stem from a publication that referenced statements by a retired military officer. However, Malami pointed out that even this officer, who served as the primary source for the report, explicitly stated he was not accusing the former minister of financing terrorism. According to Malami, the officer’s comments were limited to vague assertions about certain suspects having some form of business or institutional relationships with various persons.
“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,” Malami stated emphatically.
The former Attorney-General expressed frustration that what he described as an important clarification from the source was overshadowed by headlines that created damaging insinuations. He suggested that political opponents had manipulated the situation to create mischievous implications about his involvement in terrorism financing.
Malami emphasized that terrorism financing represents a serious crime with devastating consequences for national security and human lives. He argued that any attempt to associate an individual with such an offence must be based on verifiable facts, due process and lawful findings rather than conjecture, speculation or guilt by association.
The former minister pointed to his track record in office as evidence contradicting any suggestion of complicity in terrorism financing. During his tenure as Attorney-General, Malami spearheaded several significant reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and terrorism financing.
Among the key reforms he highlighted was the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which improved coordination among various agencies. He also cited the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 as landmark achievements during his time in office.
These legislative reforms enhanced cooperation between the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Central Bank of Nigeria and various law-enforcement bodies. Malami noted that these efforts contributed to Nigeria’s eventual removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, a significant achievement for the country’s financial reputation on the international stage.
The former Attorney-General stressed that engaging with a wide range of individuals is a normal and necessary feature of public service. He argued that such professional or institutional engagements should not be misconstrued as evidence of wrongdoing without additional proof.
Malami called on media organizations to exercise greater responsibility when reporting on national security matters. He warned that careless publications could damage individual reputations and undermine public confidence in state institutions. The senior advocate emphasized the importance of grounding serious allegations in verifiable evidence rather than innuendo.
The statement also served as a reminder of the legal implications of false or misleading publications. Malami noted that he reserves the right to seek redress over any publication that misrepresents his role in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
The former minister reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international obligations in combating financial crimes. He emphasized that his public record demonstrates a consistent dedication to strengthening, rather than weakening, the country’s defenses against terrorism financing.
The allegations come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges across various regions. The country has implemented numerous measures to combat terrorism and disrupt financing networks that support extremist groups operating within its borders and the wider West African region.
