EFCC’s Revocation Of Malami’s Bail Political, Act Of Corruption – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’s) revocation of the bail initially granted to Abubakar Malami was political rather than law enforcement.

The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is being investigated by in connection with alleged corruption in the handling of recovered Abacha loot.

In a reaction on Saturday by the spokesman of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said Malami, who is a chieftain of the party, 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 party said.

The ADC reiterates it’s support for the EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency in the pursuit of their mandate of investigating crimes.

It however, warned that selective investigation or weaponising investigations against opposition leaders ultimately undermines the genuine fight against corruption in the country.

The trend, the party said, renders anti-corruption agencies complicit in what it termed the government’s suppression of opposition and dissent.

Insisting that the bail revocation was politically motivated, the party said 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.”

The ADC restated its unwaveringly commitment to the fight against corruption, insisting, however, that politicising the fight against corruption is 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 party added.

The ADC declared support for Malami, who it believe is innocent of the charges against him until declared guilty by a competent court.

The party demanded his immediate release on bail, without the attached conditions that stifle his political rights.

EFCC’s Revocation Of Malami’s Bail Political, Act Of Corruption – ADC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper