Malami strongly refuted what he described as false narratives and coordinated media trial linking him to terrorism financing, alleged ownership of 46 bank accounts, and other circulating claims.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said that he is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of duplication in the recovery of the $310 million Abacha loot.
The confirmation came through a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, who disclosed that the EFCC raised two issues during the inquiry, alleged abuse of office and alleged money laundering.
But while acknowledging the limited inquiry on the Abacha loot recovery, Malami strongly refuted what he described as false narratives and coordinated media trial linking him to terrorism financing, alleged ownership of 46 bank accounts, and other circulating claims.
Malami clarified that his interface with the EFCC centred strictly on an allegation that the recovery of the Abacha loot was duplicated, an accusation he described as baseless, illogical and devoid of factual foundation.
The 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 Mr. Malami, and other unfounded insinuations, all of which are false, misleading and baseless.
“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.
“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, a crucial clarification that was irresponsibly overshadowed by sensational headlines and mischievous framing.”
“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 loot, which, with accrued interest, amounted to approximately $322.5 million at the time of its eventual recovery and repatriation,” he said.
“The EFCC raised two issues flowing from that assumption: Alleged abuse of office; and alleged money laundering.”
Previously SaharaReporters reported that Malami had remained in the custody of the EFCC after failing to meet his bail conditions.
Malami has been held by the anti-graft agency under a remand order earlier secured by investigators.
SaharaReporters also reported that Malami was taken into custody on Monday evening and grilled by EFCC officials. By Monday night, Malami was reportedly working to meet bail conditions set by the EFCC.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Malami was searching for two permanent secretaries on Monday night to serve as sureties in order to fulfill the bail requirements for his release.
“EFCC arrested Abubakar Malami again; he was looking for two Permanent Secretaries for bail conditions on Monday night,” a source privy to the probe said.
Meanwhile, Malami had earlier been grilled on November 29.