The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has voiced concerns regarding the Federal Government’s alleged selective application of justice in the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai, and ex-Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who are both part of the opposition party.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC highlighted the disparity between their treatment and a separate high-profile case concerning allegations of passport forgery and international conspiracy. In that instance, the accused individuals were granted bail, and the legal process is advancing swiftly.
The ADC emphasized its commitment to the law and asserted that no individual, irrespective of their position or previous office, should be above the law.
Additionally, the statement expressed that in a constitutional democracy, where the law seems to operate in a selective manner, it is critical to demand that justice is applied fairly, transparently, and devoid of political motives—especially in cases involving Malami and El-Rufai, where the rapidity of enforcement actions has understandably provoked serious public scrutiny regarding fairness and consistency.
The ADC criticized the quick transfers of Malami and El-Rufai between various law enforcement agencies while investigations are reportedly ongoing. This raises serious concerns among the public; it leads to questions about whether such detention is being used as a short-cut for investigation or as a way to pressure opposition leaders into silence. In a democracy, custody should follow well-prepared charges rather than predate them, thereby creating an impression of pre-trial punishment.
On the topic of Malami, the ADC called for any available evidence against him to be pursued transparently in court. They likewise urged for any evidence against Nasir El-Rufai to be presented legally and for the judicial process to be allowed to unfold naturally. The ADC stated that Nigerians will not tolerate a situation where the federal government, led by Bola Tinubu, is seen to act with excessive haste against opposition members while other similar cases progress at a slower pace.
The ADC encouraged Nigerians to reflect on a recent high-profile case involving serious charges of passport forgery and international conspiracy, including impersonation and the alleged use of a contested international passport to support claims to a property in London. Despite the severity of these allegations, the accused individuals pleaded not guilty, received bail, and their case is being expedited through the courts.
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