Atiku, ADC Accuse EFCC of Politicising Anti-Graft War Over Malami’s Bail Revocation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, have accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of turning law enforcement into a political instrument following the revocation of bail earlier granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

In a statement, Atiku alleged that Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions have abandoned their core mandate, warning that the fight against graft is being transformed into a political witch-hunt.

According to him, “the nation’s anti-corruption war is dangerously sliding off course and mutating into a brazen political witch-hunt.”

Separately, the ADC also faulted the EFCC’s action, accusing the agency of deviating from the principles upon which it was established and weaponising its powers to pursue narrow political interests.

“The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the very ideals that inspired its establishment,” the party said.

The ADC argued that Malami’s continued detention appeared to be driven more by politics than the pursuit of justice, noting that the timing of the bail revocation raised serious concerns.

According to the party, the EFCC’s action came shortly after Malami attended a political rally in Kebbi State, a development it said fuelled suspicions that the move was intended to restrict his political activities rather than address any breach of the law.

The party further insisted that there was no evidence to suggest that the former Attorney-General violated any of the conditions attached to his bail.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC maintained that Malami 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 statement said.

Meanwhile, InfoStride News reports that the EFCC has refuted claims by Malami that his bail was revoked because he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State, insisting that his continued detention was due to unmet bail conditions.