EFCC detains ex-AGF Malami over alleged terrorism financing

The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), is currently being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of terrorism financing.

Malami remained in EFCC custody as of 10 p.m. last night, after failing to meet the conditions for bail.

The ex-minister has been asked by the anti-graft agency to clear himself of issues relating to money laundering, especially operation of suspicious accounts.

Malami has also been told to account for his investment of about N10 billion in Kebbi State, whereabouts of $322 million Abacha loot recovered from Swiss account and about $22 million from Island of Jersey.

But the ex-AGF said his public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.

A top EFCC source said the allegations against Malami were many and will therefore require some days to go through.

The source said: “We have detained the ex-minister for terrorism financing and the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and Island of Jersey in the UK.

“His sudden investment of N10 billion in Kebbi State is under investigation. We may attach some of these assets.

“We are likely to interrogate one of his wives on her role on N4 billion Anchor Borrowers cash advanced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“He has a lot to clarify, but he has not been able to meet bail conditions.”

Malami has rejected allegations of terrorism financing.

He cited his key roles in Nigeria’s AML/CFT Reforms and FATF Grey-List exit to dismiss the terrorism financing insinuations.

In a statement on X, Malami said: “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.”