‘You’re now a political tool | We’re apolitical’: ADC, EFCC clash over Malami’s detention

Tensions have escalated between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Malami, who served as AGF under late President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 to 2023, has been detained since Wednesday.

He is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing.

It was reported that the former AGF is unable to account for the recovery of $346.2 million Abacha loot from Switzerland and funds from the Island of Jersey.

The investigation extends to the disbursement of N4 billion Anchor Borrowers’ Programme funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Malami is also being quizzed over his alleged N10bn investment in schools, hotels, and rice mills in Kebbi state.

In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, said the former AGF met his bail requirements, but the EFCC refused to release him.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any bail condition. His bail was revoked by the EFCC following his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because he failed or refused to comply with any lawful requirement,” he had said.

ADC accuses EFCC of turning into a political tool
Later, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the EFCC of turning law enforcement into a political tool following the revocation of bail earlier granted to former AGF

The party said the decision appeared less about justice and more about politics, arguing that the timing of the bail revocation raised serious concerns about the EFCC’s motives.

According to the ADC, the action came shortly after Malami attended a political rally in Kebbi State, fuelling suspicion that the move was aimed at curtailing his political activities rather than addressing any genuine legal breach.

The party insisted that there was no evidence that Malami violated any of the conditions attached to his bail.

The party’s position was outlined in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who maintained that the former Attorney-General had fully cooperated with EFCC investigators and acted within the confines of the law.

“From all available evidence, Malami did not violate any of the legal conditions attached to his initial bail,” the party said.

The ADC argued that Malami’s background as a senior lawyer and former chief law officer of the country made it unlikely that he would deliberately breach bail conditions, stressing that participation in a political gathering should not be criminalised.

“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 Kebbi State could be the basis for revoking his bail,” Abdullahi added.

While reaffirming its support for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies, the party warned that selective investigations and the targeting of opposition figures could damage the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

“ADC regards corruption as one of the most dangerous threats to the survival of our country. 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,” the party said.

The ADC further contended that by allegedly restricting Malami’s political activities, the EFCC was overstepping its constitutional mandate, stressing that no government agency has the power to suspend or limit a citizen’s political rights.

“By barring a citizen from political activity, the EFCC arrogates to itself powers it does not possess under the Constitution,” the ADC said, adding that the restriction appeared to apply only to Kebbi State, where Malami is believed to harbour political ambitions.

The party also referenced recent Afrobarometer survey data which ranked the presidency among the most corrupt public institutions in the country, arguing that such findings should prompt the EFCC to reassess its priorities if it is genuinely committed to fighting corruption.

“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 ADC stated.

Reiterating its stance that Malami is innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, the ADC demanded his immediate release on bail, without conditions it described as restrictive to his political rights.

We stand with Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent until declared guilty by a competent court,” the ADC said, calling for a depoliticised and constitutionally grounded approach to the anti-corruption fight.

We’re apolitical, Malami yet to meet bail requirement

However, in a statement on Saturday, the EFCC described the claims as “false”.

“Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court,” the EFCC said.

“To this effect, after his brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, 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.

“He was due back for further interrogation on December 1, 2025 , but in a curious twist, the former Minister pleaded with his investigators through a letter written to the Commission on December 4, 2025, to allow him to attend to his ‘ill-health’.

“The Commission compassionately granted his plea even while his bail conditions had not been met.

“He was initially required to commence reporting for further investigations on December 1, 2025 but this had to be deferred to December 4, 2025 largely owing to his ‘Request for an Adjournment on Grounds of Ill- Health’.

The commission added that Malami neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health to the EFCC.

“The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former Minister on his health stand in the way of investigations,” EFCC said.

“On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met.

“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’.

“Such bogus claims from a former chief law officer of the nation are strange, as the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects. It bears reiterating that the Commission is apolitical. A former governor and ranking member of the ruling party was recently arraigned for alleged contract fraud.

“The Commission wishes to advise Malami to expend his energy on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025.

“It would also serve his interest to cooperate with his team of interrogators rather than dissipate energy in whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media.”