The unfolding drama around former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has gripped public attention, as he continues to deny explosive allegations linking him to terrorism financing and multiple secret bank accounts.
Malami insists the reports are politically motivated fabrications designed to tarnish his reputation, even as he remains in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
For three nights running, the once-powerful legal chief has slept behind EFCC walls, unable to meet stringent bail conditions that include surrendering his international passport, daily reporting to investigators in Abuja, and producing two serving permanent secretaries as sureties. The restrictions have effectively clipped his wings, preventing him from leaving the country while the probe unfolds.
His media aide, Mohammed Doka, has been vocal in defending Malami, dismissing the allegations as “false, misleading and baseless.” Doka stressed that no security or intelligence agency, within or outside Nigeria, has ever investigated Malami for terrorism financing, adding that claims of 46 bank accounts were nothing more than sensational fiction amplified by headlines rather than evidence.
Supporters point to Malami’s years in public service as proof of his integrity, recalling his role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, including securing the autonomy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). For them, the current ordeal is less about justice and more about politics, leaving Malami to fight not just for his freedom, but for the preservation of a legacy he believes is being unfairly rewritten.
Doka in a statement said: “The Office of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, wishes to categorically refute recent allegations circulating in parts of the media regarding terrorism financing, the existence of purported 46 bank accounts linked to Malami, and other unfounded insinuations, all of which are false, misleading and baseless,” he stated.
“We state without equivocation that there is no allegation, investigation or charge of terrorism financing against Abubakar Malami, SAN, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or by any other security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency, whether in Nigeria or abroad,” Doka declared.
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He added that claims suggesting the former minister operated 46 bank accounts were nothing more than fiction amplified by sensational media narratives rather than evidence.
“Similarly, claims suggesting that Mr Malami operates or controls ‘46 bank accounts’ are entirely fictitious, unsupported by facts, official records or lawful findings, and merely form part of a coordinated media trial aimed at character assassination,” he stated.
Doka also noted that a retired military officer referenced in earlier reports had publicly clarified that he never accused Malami of terrorism financing, a clarification he said was conveniently overshadowed by sensational headlines.
“At no time has Mr Malami been questioned, investigated or confronted with issues relating to terrorism financing or any alleged multiple bank accounts. Even the retired military officer cited in recent reports explicitly clarified that he never accused Mr Malami of financing terrorism,” Doka said.
He argued that Malami’s years in public service contradict the allegations, pointing to his role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, including securing the autonomy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“Mr Malami’s public service record directly contradicts such insinuations. During his tenure as Attorney-General, he played a leading role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework, including the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU),” he noted.
The statement urged the public to dismiss what Doka characterised as a coordinated smear campaign.
“We urge Nigerians of goodwill to disregard the concocted allegations, sensational reporting and ongoing media trial designed to malign the person and record of Abubakar Malami, SAN,” Doka said.
He expressed gratitude to supporters and said Malami remained confident that the truth would prevail.
“We sincerely thank all right-thinking Nigerians for their concern, prayers, support and steadfast confidence. Your messages of encouragement reaffirm our belief that truth, law and reason will always prevail,” he added.
Doka maintained that Malami would not be intimidated by politically motivated attacks.
“We remain confident that Abubakar Malami, SAN, will emerge stronger and better, and that together, we shall triumph against all forms of political witch-hunt, misinformation and intimidation,” he expressed.