The African Democratic Congress has cautioned Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency against what it described as the dangerous politicisation of the fight against graft, warning that selective enforcement undermines public confidence and constitutes corruption in itself.
The opposition party raised strong objections to the continued detention of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, following the revocation of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The party questioned the neutrality and motives of the commission, particularly against the backdrop of Malami’s increasing political visibility.
Okay News reports that Malami has remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for more than six days as investigators probe allegations of financial misconduct linked to recovered assets popularly referred to as the Abacha loot. The commission, however, has maintained that the matter is purely procedural and devoid of political undertones.
In a detailed response issued on Saturday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, through its spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale, clarified that Malami was initially granted administrative bail on November 28, 2025, after a brief interrogation. According to the commission, the bail was provisional and conditional, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.
Oyewale explained the nature of the bail arrangement, stating, “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 twenty-eight, two thousand and twenty-five, 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.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the commission’s explanation, insisting that there was no credible evidence showing that Malami breached any of the conditions attached to his bail. Abdullahi argued that the timing of the revocation, coming shortly after Malami’s appearance at a political rally in Kebbi State, raised serious concerns.
“The ADC views Malami’s bail revocation by the 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,” the statement read in part.
The party further stated, “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.”
Reaffirming its stance against corruption, the party warned that restricting a citizen’s political participation amounts to an abuse of constitutional authority. “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,” the statement added.
The African Democratic Congress also cited recent Afrobarometer survey findings, which ranked the Presidency among the most corrupt public institutions in the country, urging the commission to reassess its priorities.
Responding, Oyewale disclosed that Malami was scheduled to return for further interrogation on December one, two thousand and twenty-five, but requested a postponement on health grounds through a letter dated December four. The commission granted the request despite the non-fulfilment of bail conditions.
“He neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health,” Oyewale said, adding that Malami was later invited again on December eight and detained pending compliance with the bail terms.
Dismissing claims of political victimisation, Oyewale stated, “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.”
The commission advised Malami to meet the conditions he voluntarily acknowledged and signed on November twenty-eight and to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations.
