The African Democratic Congress has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of using law enforcement for political purposes following the revocation of bail earlier granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN.
The party said the EFCC’s action appeared politically motivated, especially given the timing, which it noted came shortly after Malami attended a political rally in Kebbi State.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed there was no evidence that Malami breached any of the conditions attached to his bail.
The party said, “From all available evidence, Malami did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail.”
According to the ADC, Malami had fully cooperated with investigators and conducted himself within the law since his arrest.
Abdullahi argued that it was difficult to believe that Malami, as a senior lawyer and former chief law officer of the country, would deliberately flout bail conditions.
“As a senior lawyer and former number one law officer in the country, he understands what it means to violate bail conditions. However, what he probably did not understand was that attending a political gathering in furtherance of his governorship ambition in Kebbi State could be the basis for revoking his bail,” he said.
The party insisted that attending a political event should not be treated as a crime and warned that targeting opposition figures could damage the credibility of the anti-corruption fight.
“ADC regards corruption as one of the most dangerous threats to the survival of our country. However, we are deeply concerned that some of the actions and inactions of the EFCC give the impression that the agency is a gladiator in the political arena rather than an impartial warrior against financial malpractice,” the statement added.
The ADC also accused the EFCC of going beyond its constitutional powers by allegedly restricting Malami’s political activities.
“By barring a citizen from political activity, the EFCC arrogates to itself powers it does not possess under the Constitution,” the party said, noting that the restriction appeared to affect only Kebbi State, where Malami is believed to have political ambitions.
The party further cited recent Afrobarometer survey findings which ranked the presidency among the most corrupt public institutions in Nigeria, urging the EFCC to reassess its priorities.
“Reports such as this provide an opportunity for the EFCC to understand the magnitude of its task and reset its priorities, if it is truly committed to the fight against corruption,” the ADC said.
Reaffirming its support for anti-graft agencies, the party stressed that Malami remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law and demanded his immediate release on bail.
“We stand with Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent until declared guilty by a competent court,” the ADC added.
