The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the handling of ongoing legal cases involving two of its leaders, Abubakar Malami and Nasir el-Rufai, insisting that justice must not be applied selectively.
In a statement on Tuesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC
national publicity secretary, said the party has been monitoring developments
surrounding the cases of Malami, a former attorney-general of the federation
(AGF) and minister of justice, and el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state.
In recent weeks, the two ADC chieftains have come under
scrutiny over allegations involving criminal charges, keeping them in and out
of detention facilities in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Last Friday, Malami; his wife, Asabe Bashir; and his son,
Abdulaziz, were arraigned at the federal high court in Abuja on a 16-count
charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and
laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the
court ordered their remand in prison custody pending the hearing and
determination of their bail applications.
The court said Malami and Abdulaziz should be kept in Kuje
prison in Abuja, while Asabe should be remanded in Suleja prison in Niger
state, where there are facilities for female inmates, while the case was
adjourned till March 6.
Similarly, el-Rufai has faced legal scrutiny since February
13, 2026, after admitting during an Arise TV interview that he had phone-tapped
Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), and overheard a conversation
in which Ribadu allegedly “ordered” his arrest.
El-Rufai acknowledged the action was illegal but claimed the
government routinely engages in similar practices without court orders.
The former governor was taken into custody by the Department
of State Services (DSS) after spending two nights at the headquarters of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On February 18, the ICPC also announced that el-Rufai was in
its custody over ongoing investigations, while operatives of the commission
raided his Abuja home the following day.
‘LAW MUST BE APPLIED EVENLY’
Reacting to these developments, the ADC spokesperson
cautioned that in a constitutional democracy, the law must be applied evenly,
transparently and without political calculation.
“It is important to state for the record that the ADC
believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office, is above the law,”
the statement reads.
“However, where the law is seen to operate selectively, it
becomes imperative to insist that justice must be applied evenly.”
Abdullahi said the party is worried by the rapid custodial
movements and inter-agency transfers involving the two opposition figures while
investigations are reportedly ongoing.
He argued that transferring a citizen from one detention
facility to another before investigations are demonstrably concluded raises
questions about consistency and fairness.
He added that custody should follow properly prepared
charges and not precede them in a way that creates the appearance of pre-trial
punishment.
“If there is evidence against Abubakar Malami, prosecute him
transparently. If there is evidence against Nasir El-Rufai, present it before
the court and allow the law to take its course,” Abdullahi said.
“But Nigerians will not accept a situation where coercive
instruments of the federal government are perceived to move with unusual speed
against opposition figures, while similar matters elsewhere travel at a gentler
pace.”
He also referenced a recent high-profile case involving
allegations of passport forgery, international conspiracy and impersonation,
noting that the defendants in that matter were granted bail and the case is
proceeding in court.
Reaffirming the party’s position, Abdullahi said Malami and
el-Rufai remain presumed innocent under the constitution until proven guilty in
a competent court of law.
He added that the party would continue to stand by its
members as they assert their legal rights and called on relevant authorities to
provide public clarification on the status and stage of investigations.
The ADC spokesperson further demanded strict adherence to
constitutional safeguards against arbitrary or prolonged detention, transparent
and time-bound prosecution of any charges supported by credible evidence, and
equal application of the law regardless of political affiliation.
“In moments such as this, nations define themselves,” he
said, adding that Nigeria must be founded on the equal application of the law,
not governed by executive discretion.
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