Malami Bail Revoked: ADC Accuses EFCC of Abuse, Calls for Immediate Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to revoke the bail that was first given to former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) has been characterized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as political politics rather than law enforcement.

According to the ADC’s statement, which was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General did not break any of the terms of his original release, based on all available evidence.

The party pointed out that taking away his bail, particularly after he went to a political event in his native state of Kebbi, could give the unavoidable impression that the decision was conducted to restrict his political activities rather than to seek justice.

The ADC reaffirmed the party’s support for the EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency to carry out its mandate of looking into crimes, but cautions that selective or weaponized investigations against opposition leaders eventually jeopardize the country’s real fight against corruption and make anti-corruption agencies complicit in the government’s repression of dissent and opposition.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) views the revocation of Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN’s bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as politically motivated,” the complete statement stated.

According to all the information that is currently accessible, Malami did not break any of the terms of his original bail. He is a senior attorney who was once the nation’s top law enforcement official, so he knows what it means to break bail terms. Even though he has fully cooperated with the EFCC’s investigators, it is likely that he was unaware that attending a political event in support of his desire to become governor of his home state of Kebbi may be the reason for the agency to revoke his bail.

For the avoidance of doubt, ADC believes that one of the biggest risks to our nation’s survival is corruption. Therefore, any sincere attempts to hold public officials responsible have our complete support. However, we are extremely worried that some of the EFCC’s acts and inactions give the appearance that the organization is more of a political gladiator than an unbiased fighter against financial fraud.

The EFCC’s decision to revoke Malami’s bail only after he attended a political gathering raises concerns about the agency’s motivations, the political stance it is taking, and whether it is not breaking the very laws it claims to uphold.

By prohibiting a citizen from engaging in political activities, the EFCC gives itself authority that is not granted by the Constitution. Redrawing political boundaries, suspending political rights, or deciding where a citizen’s political interest may or may not be exercised are all outside the authority of any government body. The fact that this restriction only extended to Kebbi State leads one to believe that the EFCC’s true goal is to undermine his political aspirations in the state.

“Once more, ADC is steadfastly devoted to combating corruption, but we maintain that politicizing the fight against corruption is a significant form of corruption in and of itself. We want to draw the EFCC’s attention to the statistics from the Afrobarometer survey on corruption in Nigeria that was made public earlier this year. According to the survey, the National Assembly and the police are the two most corrupt public institutions in the nation, with the President and his personnel ranked third.

If the EFCC is genuinely dedicated to combating corruption, ADC thinks that studies like this give it a chance to recognize the scope of its work and reassess its goals.

“Until a competent court finds Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN guilty, we think he is innocent of the charges against him. The ADC supports him. More significantly, we urge that he be released on bail immediately away, free from any terms that restrict his political rights.