Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), don deny reports wey talk say EFCC question-am over terrorism financing or money laundering. He say the only matter wey EFCC ask-am about na the alleged duplication for the recovery of Abacha loot.
For statement wey im media office release on Wednesday, Malami call the viral allegations “false, misleading and baseless.” He add say no security or intelligence agency — for Nigeria or abroad — ever accuse am or even question am about terrorism issues or multiple bank accounts.
Malami explain say EFCC only invite am to clarify the $310 million Abacha loot wey Nigeria recover during President Buhari time. According to am, EFCC look into two assumptions — abuse of office and money laundering — but dem no see any reason to continue after he show them correct documents.
He talk say he prove to EFCC say no duplication happen because the money never enter the Federation Account before 2016. “There was no completed recovery at the time,” he insist.
Malami still reference the 2016 letter from Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, wey request re-engagement. He say the Buhari government reject Monfrini’s expensive fee — $5 million upfront and up to 40% success fee — and use Nigerian lawyers instead at just 5%, saving Nigeria billions.
He explain where different Abacha loot tranches go:
• $322.5m from Switzerland (2017–2018) — use for National Social Investment Programme under World Bank watch.
• $321m from Jersey (2020) — use for Lagos–Ibadan expressway, Abuja–Kano road, and Second Niger Bridge.
Malami say attempts to twist the different recoveries as duplication na “deliberate mischief.”
On reports say one retired military officer accuse am of terror financing, Malami say the man don already clear say he never talk so — but news headlines hide the correction.
He remind Nigerians say he help build Nigeria’s anti-corruption and anti-terror financing system, including pushing the laws wey help Nigeria comot FATF grey list.
Malami say the whole matter na smear campaign and he dey confident say truth go prevail.
Meanwhile, EFCC officials confirm say dem detain Malami because he never meet bail conditions. “He go remain with us until he meet the conditions,” one senior EFCC officer talk.
