Nigeria’s former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, has strongly denied allegations that he is under investigation for terrorism financing or that he operated 46 undisclosed bank accounts, describing the claims as “false” and “politically motivated”.
Malami, who served as Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023, according to reports, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is spending his third night at the agency’s Abuja office after failing to meet the bail conditions set by investigators.
The conditions include surrendering his passport, daily reporting requirements for up to 30 days, and securing two serving permanent secretaries as sureties.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, Malami dismissed the allegations circulating online and in sections of the media. He insisted there was no investigation past or present by the EFCC or any security agency linking him to terrorism financing.
“The claims are entirely fictitious and part of a coordinated smear campaign,” the statement said. “There is no allegation or inquiry relating to terrorism financing or 46 bank accounts. These narratives are not supported by any official documentation.”
Doka also said reports citing a retired military officer as the source of the accusations were misleading, noting that the officer had publicly clarified he never accused Malami of terrorism financing.
Malami’s camp argues that his record in office contradicts the allegations. As Attorney General, he played a role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering system and oversaw the granting of autonomy to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The statement urged the public to disregard what it called a campaign of “political mischief”, adding that Malami remained confident he would be vindicated.
The EFCC has not publicly commented on the details of the ongoing investigation.