The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the revocation of the bail initially granted to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as partisan politics, and not law enforcement.
In a statement signed the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abubakar Malami, the ADC stated that from all available evidence, the former Attorney-General did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail.
The party noted that revoking his bail, especially after he attended a political rally in his home state of Kebbi, could create the inexorable impression that the action was taken to curtail his politics rather than to pursue justice.
The ADC reiterated the party’s support for the EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency to pursue its mandate of investigating crimes, but warns that selective investigation or weaponising investigations against opposition leaders ultimately undermines the genuine fight against corruption in the country and renders anti-corruption agencies complicit in the government’s suppression of opposition and dissent.
The full 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, ADC regards corruption as one of the most dangerous threats to the very survival of our country. Therefore, we fully support any genuine efforts to hold public officers accountable. 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.
“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.
“Once again, ADC is unwaveringly committed to the fight against corruption, but we insist that politicising the fight against corruption is itself a major form of corruption. We would like to call the EFCC’s attention to the Afrobarometer survey data on corruption in Nigeria that was released earlier in the year. The report rated the Presidency (the President and officials) as the third most corrupt public institution in the country, coming closely behind the police and the National Assembly, respectively.
“ADC believes that 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 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.”
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