The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to revoke the bail that was previously 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 bail, based on all available information.
The party pointed out that canceling his bail could give the unavoidable impression that the measure was conducted to restrict his political activities rather than to seek justice, particularly after he attended a political event in his home state of Kebbi.
The ADC reaffirmed the party’s support for the EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency to carry out its mandate of investigating crimes, but cautions that selective or weaponized investigations against opposition leaders ultimately jeopardize the country’s real fight against corruption and make anti-corruption agencies complicit in the government’s repression of dissent and opposition.
The complete statement stated: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) believes that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revoked Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN’s bail for political reasons.
According to all the information at hand, Malami did not break any of the terms of his original bail. He knows what it means to break bail conditions because he is a senior attorney and a former top law enforcement official in the nation. 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 EFCC to revoke his bail.
To be clear, ADC considers corruption to be one of the biggest risks to our nation’s survival. As a result, we wholeheartedly endorse any sincere attempts to hold public officials responsible. However, we are extremely worried that some of the EFCC’s acts and inactions convey 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 had attended a political gathering raises concerns about the agency’s motivations, the political stance it is taking, and whether or not it is breaking the very laws it claims to uphold.
“The EFCC gives itself powers it does not have under the Constitution by prohibiting a citizen from engaging in political action. No governmental body has the authority to redefine political boundaries, suspend political rights, or decide whether or not a citizen’s political interests may be pursued. It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the EFCC’s true goal is to undermine his political aspirations in the state given that this restriction only extended to Kebbi State.
“Once more, ADC is steadfastly dedicated to combating corruption, but we maintain that politicizing the fight against corruption is a significant form of corruption in and of itself. We would like to draw the EFCC’s attention to the data on corruption in Nigeria from the Afrobarometer survey that was published earlier this year. According to the research, the Presidency (the President and officials) is the third most corrupt governmental entity in the nation, closely behind the National Assembly and the police.
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 reevaluate its goals.
“The ADC supports Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent of the charges against him until a competent court finds him guilty.” More significantly, we call for his prompt release on bond without any terms that restrict his ability to exercise his political rights.
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