By Adesina Soyooye
After he was granted an administrative bail a few days ago, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has finally detained former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Malami served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government, but since May 2023 when the tenure of Buhari’s successor, President Bola Tinubu began, he has had an untidy relationship with the Federal Government to the extent that he quit from the All Progressives Congress, APC, and joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
About a couple of weeks ago when he was first invited by the EFCC, he publicised the invitation, and promised to make his interactions with the anti-corruption body public.
In keeping with his promise, after he was released same day, he celebrated it publicly and said the truth was gradually, but finally, coming out. But, he never disclosed that his travel documents were impounded.
However, on Tuesday when he visited the EFCC again, he was not that lucky to walk out after his interactions with operatives. He was detained, but would, however be freed if he meets his bail conditions which are, allegedly, stringent, based on the serious allegations levelled against him.
Stashed against him, according to reports, are allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, operation of suspicious accounts, explanation for his investment of about N10billion in Kebbi State, the whereabouts of $322million Abacha loot recovered from Swiss account and about $22million from Island of Jersey in the UK.
As at 10.00pm Tuesday, the former Minister under whose supervision the EFCC was, was still with the operatives because
because he was still to meet his bail conditions.
However, Malami vehemently denies the allegations and insists they are against his public records.
A report quoted an unnamed EFCC source, which this medium has been unable to confirm, as saying: ”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 wealth of N10billion investments in Kebbi State are under investigation. We may attach some of these assets.
“We are likely to interrogate one of his wives on her role on N4billion 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. He might be with us until he fulfils these.”
Malami rejects ever financing terrorism and flaunts what he describes as the key roles he played in Nigeria’s AML/CFT Reforms and FATF Grey-List exit.
In a statement he posted on X, the former Minister 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.
“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.”.
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