By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of selective application of justice in the ongoing legal cases involving former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, both members of the opposition party.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party contrasted the handling of the two cases with another high-profile matter in which suspects were granted bail and court proceedings are reportedly progressing swiftly.
ADC said while it believes no citizen is above the law, the pattern of enforcement actions against the two opposition figures has raised “serious public concern about consistency and fairness.”
“The movement of Malami and El-Rufai from the custody of one law enforcement agency to another, in rapid succession, while investigations appear ongoing, has raised profound public concern,” Abdullahi said.
He questioned whether detention was being used as an investigative shortcut or as pressure to keep the opposition figures “out of circulation,” insisting that in a democracy, custody should follow properly prepared charges.
The party maintained that if credible evidence exists against the former officials, authorities should prosecute them transparently in court.
“But Nigeria and Nigerians will not accept a situation where the coercive instruments of the Bola Tinubu-led federal government are perceived to move with unusual speed against opposition figures, while similar matters elsewhere travel at a gentler pace,” the statement added.
ADC stressed that both men remain presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven guilty by a competent court and pledged to stand by its members as they pursue their legal rights.
The party also called on relevant authorities to publicly clarify the status of investigations, adhere strictly to constitutional safeguards against arbitrary detention, and ensure equal application of the law regardless of political affiliation.
