Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating him strictly over issues relating to the recovery of the $310 million Abacha loot and allegations of abuse of office and money laundering — not terrorism financing.
The clarification was issued in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, who dismissed reports linking Malami to terrorism financing, ownership of 46 bank accounts, and other allegations as “false, misleading, and part of a coordinated media trial.”
According to the statement, Malami’s interaction with the EFCC focused solely on an allegation that the Abacha loot recovery was duplicated — a claim he described as baseless and illogical. He emphasized that no security or intelligence agency in Nigeria or abroad has ever accused or investigated him for terrorism financing.
The statement noted that a retired military officer previously mentioned in reports had already clarified that he never accused Malami of funding terrorism, but that clarification was “buried under sensational reporting.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Malami’s engagement with the EFCC was limited strictly to questions surrounding an alleged duplication in the recovery of the $310 million Abacha funds, which had grown to about $322.5 million with interest at the time of repatriation,” the statement said.
Doka added that the EFCC raised two issues during the inquiry: alleged abuse of office and alleged money laundering.
The Legalobserver earlier reported that Malami remained in EFCC custody due to delays in meeting his bail conditions. Sources said he was searching for two permanent secretaries to stand as sureties, as required by the agency.
Malami was reportedly arrested again on Monday evening and questioned by EFCC investigators. He had also been interrogated earlier on November 29.
