The African Democratic Congress has accused the Federal Government of applying justice selectively in the legal cases involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said “justice must be applied evenly, transparently, and without political calculation.”
The ADC said it believes “no citizen, regardless of stature or past office, is above the law.”
However, it raised concerns about what it described as differences in how cases are being handled.
The party questioned the transfer of Malami and El-Rufai “from the custody of one law enforcement agency to another, in rapid succession,” while investigations are still ongoing.
It asked whether detention was being used “as an investigative shortcut, or as an instrument of pressure to keep these opposition leaders out of circulation.”
“In a democracy that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, custody must follow credible, well-prepared charges, not precede them,” the statement said.
The ADC compared the situation to “a recent high-profile case” involving allegations of passport forgery and international conspiracy, where the accused were granted bail, and the matter is proceeding in court.
“If there is evidence against Abubakar Malami, prosecute him transparently.
If there is evidence against Nasir El-Rufai, present it before the court,” the party said.
It added that both men are “presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven otherwise” and called for “strict adherence to constitutional safeguards” and “equal application of the law without discrimination based on political alignment.”
