The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly revoking the bail granted to former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. The party described this action as partisan politics rather than a genuine enforcement of the law.
In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja, the party asserted that evidence indicated Mr Malami had not violated any conditions of his bail, insisting that the EFCC’s actions lacked legal justification.
Mr Abdullahi cautioned that the revocation of bail, following Mr Malami’s attendance at a political rally in Kebbi, suggested that the EFCC was attempting to undermine his aspirations for governorship.
“What he perhaps did not realise was that attending a political gathering in his home state could suddenly become grounds for revoking his bail,” Mr Abdullahi remarked.
He expressed concerns regarding the EFCC’s motives, questioning which side of the political spectrum the agency was supporting, and whether it was contravening the very laws it claims to uphold.
While reaffirming the party’s support for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies, Mr Abdullahi warned that selective investigations or the weaponisation of the anti-corruption campaign against opposition figures could jeopardise the agency’s credibility.
He noted that Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was aware of his bail obligations but may not have anticipated that attending political events could justify the revocation of his bail, despite his full cooperation with investigators.
The party argued that the EFCC lacks the constitutional authority to suspend political rights, cautioning that restrictions targeting Kebbi specifically indicated deliberate attempts to thwart the former minister’s political ambitions.
“No agency of government has the power to suspend political rights, redefine political boundaries, or determine where a citizen’s political interests may or may not be pursued,” he stated.
Mr Abdullahi urged the EFCC to reassess its priorities and demanded the immediate reinstatement of Mr Malami’s bail.
In response, the EFCC, through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, stated that the former AGF was detained for failing to meet his bail conditions.
“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released under specific conditions while investigations and court proceedings are ongoing.
“Following his brief interrogation on 28 November 2025, Malami was granted provisional bail contingent upon five requirements. He has neither fulfilled any of these requirements nor shown willingness to comply,” Mr Oyewale explained.
He also dismissed allegations that Mr Malami was detained for attending a political gathering in Kebbi State.
“The former minister’s assertions regarding the revocation of his bail by the EFCC are unfounded. It is equally absurd to suggest that the commission prevented him from giving media interviews or participating in political activities in Kebbi State,” he concluded.
(NAN)
