The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of allowing political considerations to influence its operations following the withdrawal of bail earlier granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The party argued that the decision to revoke Malami’s bail appeared to be driven more by political motives than by the pursuit of justice, pointing to the timing of the action as a key cause for concern. According to the ADC, the move came shortly after Malami participated in a political rally in Kebbi State, a development it said raised questions about whether the EFCC was seeking to limit his political engagement rather than respond to any actual breach of bail conditions.

In its assessment, the ADC maintained that there was no proof that Malami violated any of the terms attached to his bail. The party’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who stressed that the former Attorney-General had consistently cooperated with investigators and conducted himself within the bounds of the law.

Abdullahi stated that available information showed no infraction of the bail conditions, adding that Malami’s long-standing legal background and experience as the nation’s chief law officer made it unlikely that he would knowingly flout such requirements. He further argued that attending a political gathering in pursuit of a governorship ambition should not be treated as a criminal act or used as justification for revoking bail.

While reaffirming its recognition of the role of the EFCC and other anti-corruption bodies, the ADC cautioned that actions perceived as selective or targeted at opposition figures could undermine the credibility of the anti-corruption campaign and weaken public trust in democratic institutions. The party described corruption as a serious threat to national survival but expressed concern that some EFCC actions created the impression that the agency was acting as a political actor rather than an impartial enforcer of financial crime laws.

The ADC also contended that any attempt to restrict Malami’s political activities amounted to an overreach of the EFCC’s constitutional authority, insisting that no government institution has the power to curtail a citizen’s political rights. It added that the alleged restriction appeared to be focused on Kebbi State, where Malami is widely believed to have political aspirations.

Referencing recent Afrobarometer survey findings that ranked the presidency among the most corrupt public institutions in the country, the party argued that such data should encourage the EFCC to reassess its priorities if it is genuinely committed to tackling corruption.

Reiterating the principle that Malami remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, the ADC called for his immediate release on bail without conditions it described as unduly restrictive to his political rights. The party concluded by urging a more professional, neutral and constitutionally guided approach to the fight against corruption.