Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is set to spend a third night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after failing to meet the bail requirements set by investigators.
Malami is currently under investigation over allegations of terrorism financing and claims that he operated 46 bank accounts, allegations he has dismissed as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his image.
The bail conditions include the confiscation of his international passport, preventing him from travelling outside the country, as well as a directive requiring him to report daily to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for questioning over a specified period, initially set for 30 days. He is also required to present two serving permanent secretaries as sureties, along with other conditions issued by the investigators.
The denials were issued in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mohammed Doka, who insisted that the accusations circulating in public were false, misleading and not backed by any official documentation.
Doka emphasised that Malami had never been investigated by the EFCC or any security agency in Nigeria or abroad for terrorism financing. He stated, “We state without equivocation that there is no allegation, investigation or charge of terrorism financing against Malami, SAN, by the EFCC or by any other security, intelligence or law-enforcement agency, whether in Nigeria or abroad.”
He further argued that the allegations claiming Malami operated 46 bank accounts were fabrications fuelled by sensational media reports rather than credible 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.
“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 also asserted that Malami’s record in office contradicts the allegations, noting that during his tenure as Attorney-General, he championed reforms that strengthened Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, including the establishment of an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.
He urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as fabricated claims, sensational narratives and a media-driven campaign aimed at damaging Malami’s reputation.
“We urge Nigerians of goodwill to disregard the concocted allegations, sensational reporting and ongoing media trial designed to malign the person and record of Malami, SAN.
“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.
“We remain confident that Malami, SAN, will emerge stronger and better, and that together, we shall triumph against all forms of political witch-hunt, misinformation and intimidation,” he added.
