Dare Babalola
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of engaging in “partisan politics” over the revocation of bail granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), describing the move as a “political witch-hunt” rather than a legitimate law enforcement action.
The declaration was made on Saturday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the opposition the ADC in a statement.
Recall that the former AGF recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to become a member of the ADC. Also, Malami is a governorship aspirant in Kebbi State.
The former Federation’s Attorney-General, who was initially granted administrative bail by the EFCC, is currently under investigation for 18 offences, including alleged abuse of office and terrorism financing.
However, the former Minister of Justice denied the terrorism charges.
In his statement on Saturday, the ADC National Publicity stated that, from all available evidence, the former Attorney-General did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail.
Mohammed Bello Doka, the Special Assistant on Media to the detained former AGF however claimed that the bail was revoked because the former AGF attended a political gathering in Kebbi state.
In line with the allegation, Abdullahi stated that revoking Malami’s bail, particularly after he attended a political rally in Kebbi, suggests the EFCC’s action aims to curb his political activities rather than pursue genuine justice.
While reiterating its support for the EFCC’s mandate, the opposition party warned that selective investigations or weaponising probes against opposition leaders erodes the fight against corruption, making anti-graft agencies complicit in suppressing dissent and opposition.
The statement read, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) views the revocation of the bail of Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as politically motivated.
“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.
“However, what he probably did not understand was that attending a political gathering in furtherance of his governorship ambition in his home state of Kebbi could be the basis for revoking his bail by the EFCC, even though he has cooperated fully with the agency’s investigators.”
The statement continued, “Revoking Malami’s bail only after he had attended a political event makes one question the EFCC’s motive, and wonder on which side of the political divide the agency is fighting, and whether it is not violating the very same laws it purports to defend.
“By barring a citizen from political activity, the EFCC arrogates to itself powers it does not possess under the Constitution. 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.
“That this restriction applied only to Kebbi State leaves one with an inescapable conclusion that the EFCC’s real agenda is to cripple his political ambition in the state.”
“The ADC stands with Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent of the charges against him until declared guilty by a competent court. More importantly, we demand his immediate release on bail, without the attached conditions that stifle his political rights,” the party declared.
