African Democratic Congress Accuses EFCC of Politicizing Anti-Graft War Amidst Malami’s Detention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), cautioning the anti-graft agency against injecting politics into its fight against corruption. The party asserts that such actions fundamentally undermine the very essence of their mandate and constitute a form of corruption in themselves.
The ADC’s strong stance comes in the wake of the EFCC’s decision to revoke the administrative bail previously granted to Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. This move has raised significant questions about the EFCC’s political neutrality and impartiality.
EFCC Maintains Detention is Not Political, Cites Unmet Bail Conditions
In response to the ADC’s accusations, the EFCC has clarified its position, asserting that Malami’s detention is not politically motivated. The agency explained that the former minister has yet to fulfill a set of new bail conditions that were stipulated following his initial release.
According to the EFCC, Malami was granted administrative bail on November 28, 2025, after a brief interrogation. This provisional release was contingent upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations and a potential arraignment in court. The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated that the bail was subject to five specific requirements, none of which have been met by Malami.
Oyewale elaborated on the nature of administrative bail, describing it as a discretionary, temporary measure that allows for the release of a suspect pending the completion of investigations and court proceedings. He emphasized that Malami was aware of these conditions and has neither met them nor demonstrated any intention to comply.
Malami has reportedly been in EFCC custody for over six days as the agency continues its investigation into alleged financial impropriety connected to the Abacha loot.
ADC Questions Malami’s Bail Revocation, Cites Political Motivation
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, has challenged the EFCC’s justification for revoking Malami’s bail. Abdullahi stated that there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Malami has breached any of the conditions attached to his initial bail.
Abdullahi suggested that the timing of the bail revocation, particularly following Malami’s appearance at a political rally in his home state of Kebbi, creates an unavoidable impression that the EFCC’s action is intended to curtail his political activities rather than to genuinely pursue justice.
The ADC’s statement articulated their view: “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.
“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.”
Concerns Over EFCC’s Impartiality and Political Interference
The ADC reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating corruption, recognizing it as a grave threat to the nation’s survival. However, the party expressed deep concern that certain actions and inactions of the EFCC project an image of the agency as a political player rather than an impartial body dedicated to fighting financial malpractice.
“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.”
The ADC cautioned that by restricting a citizen’s political engagement, the EFCC would be overstepping its constitutional authority.
ADC: Politicizing Anti-Graft War is a Form of Corruption
The party emphasized that no government agency possesses the power to suspend political rights, redefine political boundaries, or dictate where a citizen’s political interests can be exercised. The fact that this restriction appears to be specific to Kebbi State leads to the inescapable conclusion that the EFCC’s true agenda might be to undermine Malami’s political aspirations in that region.
“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 stressed its commitment to the fight against corruption but insisted that politicizing this fight is itself a significant form of corruption. They drew attention to a recent Afrobarometer survey on corruption in Nigeria, which ranked the Presidency as the third most corrupt public institution, following the police and the National Assembly.
“Once again, ADC is unwaveringly committed to the fight against corruption, but we insist that politicising the fight against corruption is itself 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.”
The ADC believes that such reports highlight the enormity of the task facing the EFCC and suggest a need to re-evaluate priorities if the agency is genuinely committed to eradicating corruption.
ADC’s Stance on Malami’s Innocence and Call for Release
The ADC declared its support for Abubakar Malami, whom they believe to be innocent of the charges against him until proven guilty by a competent court. Furthermore, they demanded his immediate release on bail, free from any conditions that would infringe upon his political rights.
“The ADC stands with Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we believe is innocent of the charges against him until declared guilty by a competent court. More importantly, we demand his immediate release on bail, without the attached conditions that stifle his political rights.”
EFCC Rebuts Claims, Details Malami’s Postponed Interrogations
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, refuted the ADC’s claims, reiterating that the EFCC has acted fairly in Malami’s case. Oyewale provided a timeline of events, stating that Malami was scheduled for further interrogation on December 1, 2025. However, Malami requested a postponement via a letter dated December 4, citing ill health.
Oyewale noted that the EFCC granted this request, despite the fact that the bail conditions had not yet been met.
“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,” Oyewale stated.
The EFCC spokesperson further clarified that Malami did not provide a medical report or credible evidence of ill health to support his request. His reporting date was consequently deferred from December 1 to December 4.
Detained Pending Compliance with Bail Conditions
According to the EFCC, Malami was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation. He was subsequently detained pending his compliance with the outstanding bail conditions.
“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.’ He neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health to the Commission.
“The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former Minister on his health to stand in the way of investigations. On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025, for further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met.”
Oyewale dismissed Malami’s assertion that his bail was revoked and labelled allegations of a ban on media interviews or political activities as false.
“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.”
The EFCC concluded by advising Malami to adhere to the bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025, and to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
