The African Democratic Congress has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of politicising the decision to revoke the bail earlier granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the EFCC’s action as politically motivated rather than a genuine law enforcement measure.
The party maintained that Malami had complied with all the conditions attached to his bail and had continued to cooperate with investigators.
“From all available evidence, Malami did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail.
“As a senior lawyer and former number one law officer in the country, he understands what it means to violate bail conditions,” the statement said.
The ADC also faulted the timing of the bail revocation, noting that it came shortly after Malami attended a political rally in Kebbi State as part of his governorship campaign.
“What he probably did not know was that attending a political gathering in his home state could suddenly become a reason for revoking his bail.”
According to the party, the development created the impression that the EFCC was attempting to restrict Malami’s political activities rather than pursue justice.
The statement further argued that the EFCC had exceeded its constitutional powers by revoking the bail under such circumstances.
“By barring a citizen from political activity, the EFCC arrogates to itself powers it does not possess under the Constitution.
“No agency has the power to suspend political rights, redraw political boundaries, or dictate where a citizen’s political interest may be exercised.”
Warning against selective investigations and the use of anti-corruption agencies against opposition figures, the ADC stated: “Politicising the fight against corruption is itself a major form of corruption.
“The Afrobarometer survey released earlier this year ranked the Presidency as the third most corrupt public institution in the country, after the police and the National Assembly.”
Reiterating that Malami remains innocent until proven guilty, the ADC called for his immediate release on bail without any conditions restricting his political rights.
“More importantly, we demand his immediate release on bail, without the attached conditions that stifle his political rights,” the party concluded.
