Former AGF Abubakar Malami and EFCC logo
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of dragging partisan politics into its operations following the revocation of bail earlier granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party insisted that available facts showed Malami did not breach any of the conditions attached to his bail, describing the EFCC’s action as lacking legal basis.
According to the ADC, the decision to revoke Malami’s bail shortly after he was reported to have attended a political rally in Kebbi State raised troubling questions about the real motive behind the move.
Abdullahi warned that the development had created the impression that the anti-graft agency was acting to stifle Malami’s alleged governorship ambition rather than enforcing the law.
While reaffirming the party’s support for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies, the ADC cautioned that selective investigations or the perceived weaponisation of state institutions against opposition figures could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-graft campaign.
He noted that Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was fully aware of the obligations attached to bail and had cooperated with investigators, but could hardly have imagined that attending political gatherings would be cited as grounds for revoking his freedom.
The party further argued that the EFCC lacked constitutional authority to suspend the political rights of any citizen, stressing that restrictions allegedly limited to Kebbi State suggested a deliberate attempt to undermine the former minister’s political future.
“No agency of government has the power to suspend political rights, redraw political boundaries or determine where a citizen’s political interest may or may not be exercised,” Abdullahi said.
He urged the EFCC to review its actions, refocus on its core mandate and immediately restore Malami’s bail in the interest of fairness and the rule of law.
