Malami Rejects Terrorism Financing Allegations

Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami has issued a strong denial against recent reports linking him to terrorism financing, describing the claims as politically motivated smears without evidence. The allegations stem from statements by retired Major General Ali Keffi, who mentioned institutional or business ties between terror suspects and high-profile figures including Malami, but explicitly avoided accusing them of direct funding. Malami stresses no agency has ever investigated or charged him on such matters, either in Nigeria or abroad. ​​

A recent publication highlighted Keffi’s account of arrests by Operation Safe Whistle (OSW), where two suspects linked to Malami through professional contacts, alongside others tied to ex-Army Chief Tukur Buratai and ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. Keffi clarified these were legitimate dealings, not terror support, yet headlines amplified insinuations exploited by Malami’s rivals. Such vague associations ignore the demands of public office, which requires broad interactions across sectors. ​​

Malami points to his leadership in bolstering Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework as proof against complicity. Key achievements include establishing an autonomous Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), enacting the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, all aligning with UN and global standards. These efforts enhanced agency coordination with bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria and paved the way for Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list in October 2025, a milestone hailed by President Tinubu as a boost to economic credibility. ​

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Malami warns that conflating routine engagements with criminality undermines security institutions and public trust, urging media precision on sensitive issues. He reaffirms commitment to rule of law and reserves rights for legal redress against damaging reports. Nigeria’s FATF exit underscores sustained reforms beyond his era, reflecting inter-agency progress against terror financing threats. ​