*Abubakar Malami, SAN Clarifies Position, Rejects Terror Financing Insinuations, Cites Key Role in Nigeria’s AML/CFT Reforms and FATF Grey-List Exit
My attention has been drawn to a recent publication in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of terrorism financing and so-called “links” to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.
I consider it necessary, in the interest of truth, justice and public record, to make the following clarifications.
First, I state clearly and unequivocally that 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.
Secondly, even the retired military officer cited as the principal source in the said publication categorically admitted that he was not accusing me, or other named individuals, of financing terrorism. His own account, as reported, was limited to a vague assertion that certain suspects allegedly had some form of “business” or “institutional” relationship with various persons. That important clarification was, unfortunately, overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions which was unfortunately politically manipulated by my political opponents to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing.
Terrorism financing is a grave crime with devastating consequences for national security and human life. Any attempt—whether by direct allegation or indirect innuendo—to associate an individual with such an offence must be grounded in verifiable facts, due process and lawful findings, not in conjecture, speculation, or guilt by association. To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust.
For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing. During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Among other efforts:
The Federal Government, through collaborative work involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly and other stakeholders, established an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) by law, in order to meet global standards on operational autonomy and to restore Nigeria’s standing within the international financial-intelligence community.
We supported and saw to the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which repealed the older Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and provided a more comprehensive and stringent framework for combating money laundering and related offences, including those that may underpin terrorism financing.
We similarly worked on the passage and implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which strengthened Nigeria’s legal regime against terrorism, updated offences and penalties, and reinforced provisions dealing specifically with the financing of terrorism in line with international standards and United Nations obligations.
In furtherance of these laws, my office cooperated closely with key domestic institutions—such as the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria, law-enforcement and regulatory agencies—and with international partners, to improve coordination, information-sharing and compliance across the anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing (AML/CFT) architecture.
These reforms, along with subsequent efforts by succeeding administrations and institutions, formed part of the body of work later assessed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and contributed to Nigeria’s eventual removal from the FATF “grey list” of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. Independent international evaluation of that nature is entirely inconsistent with any suggestion that those leading such reforms were, at the same time, colluding with or protecting terror financiers.
It is important to emphasise that high public office inevitably involves frequent engagement with a wide range of individuals and entities—domestic and foreign, public and private. Such engagement is a normal and necessary feature of governance. It does not, in and of itself, constitute evidence of knowledge of, participation in, or benefit from any criminal conduct that any third party may later be suspected of. To imply otherwise is to weaponise ordinary institutional contact into a tool of character assassination.
While I recognise the service of officers who have sacrificed in defence of our country, and I respect the media’s duty to inform the public, that duty must be exercised with precision, balance and a sense of responsibility. Where issues of terrorism and national security are concerned, careless or exaggerated reporting can not only damage individual reputations but also undermine public confidence in the very institutions we all rely on to keep the country safe.
I therefore reject in its entirety any insinuation, innuendo or suggestion—however couched—that seeks to associate my person with terrorism financing or any form of support for terrorism. Such insinuations are unfounded, unfair and contrary to both my record in public office and the objective facts of Nigeria’s institutional reforms in this area.
I remain committed to the rule of law, to the strengthening of our justice and security institutions, and to the continued enhancement of Nigeria’s standing in the international community. I also reserve all my legal and constitutional rights to seek appropriate clarification, correction or redress in respect of any publication that unjustly impugns my integrity or misrepresents my role in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
*Abubakar Malami, SAN
Former Attorney-General of the Federation
Former Minister of Justice
