The African Democratic Congress on Saturday criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly revoking the bail granted to a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, describing the action as partisan politics rather than enforcement.
The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja, claimed that evidence showed that Mr Malami never violated the conditions attached to his bail, insisting that the action lacked legal justification.
Mr Abdullahi warned that revoking bail after Mr Malami reportedly attended a political rally in Kebbi created the impression that EFCC acted to curtail his governorship ambition.
“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,” Mr Abdullahi stated.
He said this “raises questions about the EFCC’s motive and which side of the political divide the agency is fighting, as well as whether it is violating the very laws it purports to defend.”
Although the party reaffirmed its support for the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies, it cautioned that selective investigations or the weaponisation of the anti-corruption campaign against opposition figures could undermine its credibility.
Mr Abdullahi said Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), understood bail obligations but might not have imagined that attending political gatherings could justify his bail revocation, despite his full cooperation with the investigators.
The party argued that the EFCC lacks constitutional powers to suspend political rights, warning that restrictions targeting Kebbi alone suggested deliberate attempts to cripple the former minister’s political ambition.
“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,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi urged EFCC to reset its priorities and demanded Mr Malami’s immediate release on bail.
Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency said in a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, that the former AGF was detained for failing to meet his bail requirements.
“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court.
“To this effect, after his brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, Malami was offered provisional bail hinged on five requirements. He has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them,” Mr Oyewale said.
He also refuted claims that Mr Malami was detained for attending a political gathering in Kebbi State.
“Evidently, the former minister’s claims of revocation of bail by the EFCC are untenable. It is equally ridiculous to insinuate that the commission barred him from granting media interviews and from participating in political activities in Kebbi State,” he said.
(NAN)