Politicising fight against corruption is corruption, ADC knocks Tinubu Govt over Malami

*As EFCC faces backslash over revocation of Buhari Minister’s bail: ‘We know why’ – Aide; ‘It is political not law’ – ADC

*Reiterates support for anti-corruption agency to pursue its mandate of investigating crimes, but warns against selective investigation

*Weaponising investigations against opposition leaders ultimately undermines the genuine fight against corruption in Nigeria – ADC

By KEMI KASUMU

The recent revocation of bail granted Buhari administration’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), has been described as being outside of law enforcement but part of alleged design by the Tinubu administration to punish members of the government of his predecessor, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, even after his death.

This comes as office of the former AGF and opposition coalition’s African Democratic Congress (ADC), of which the former minister is a chieftain, are casting aspersions on his continued detention.

The DEFENDER reports that on Thursday December 11, 2025, the office of the former attorney general defended him against the EFCC’s action, insisting the ‘revocation’ of his bail stemmed solely from his attendance at a political event in Kebbi State and not from any violation of bail conditions as claimed by the should-have-been anti- corruption agency for nation’s good against individual’s political interest.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Bello Doka, Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Malami, the office dismissed as incorrect the reports suggesting narrative that the former AGF failed to meet his bail terms, describing such claims as misleading and contrary to the facts.

The statement said Malami had fully complied with the bail requirements earlier set by the EFCC over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office, allegations he has repeatedly denied.

It added that the EFCC later introduced fresh restrictions, including a ban on media interviews and a prohibition on participating in political activities in Kebbi State.

“Abubakar Malami, SAN did not violate or fail to meet any bail condition. It was the EFCC that revoked his bail after he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because of any breach of the law or his bail terms,” the aide stated.

Arguing that the political restriction placed on Malami was unconstitutional, the statement said preventing him from engaging in politics in his home state amounted to an infringement on his freedom of movement, association, and political participation.

“Prohibiting him from engaging in political activities in Kebbi, his home state, violates his fundamental rights. Such a condition has no basis in a democratic system and raises questions about its true intent,” it added.

According to the statement, Malami had travelled to Kebbi from Friday to Sunday, where he was received by party members as a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

After addressing a peaceful gathering, he returned to Abuja on Monday in response to an invitation from the EFCC, only to be informed that his bail had been ‘revoked.’

It questioned the rationale behind linking allegations of financial impropriety to his attendance at a political event.

“What does an allegation of money laundering have to do with attending a political meeting in Kebbi State? Nothing at all,” it stressed.

The aide said the state-specific restriction pointed to a political motive and argued that participation in political activities cannot hinder investigation or prosecution.

He added that Malami had been ready to meet any new bail conditions but was not given the opportunity before his bail was reportedly withdrawn.

“Any claims that he failed to meet the bail requirements are false, misleading, and contrary to the facts,” Malami’s office noted.

The statement reiterated that although the EFCC has the legal authority to investigate and prosecute, it does not have the power to impose political restrictions or infringe on constitutional rights.

In the meantime, a report by Vanguard said EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, reached for clarification on the circumstances surrounding the alleged bail revocation and the claims made by Malami’s side, had yet to respond.

Malami remains in custody at the time of filing this report.

Revocation political not law enforcement – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in its reaction, described revocation of the bail initially granted to the former Attorney-General by the EFCC as partisan politics, and not law enforcement.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, 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.

“Therefore, 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 reiterates 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 statement said.