ADC Kebbi State Calls for Immediate Release of Abubakar Malami, SAN

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By Sani Dutsinma 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kebbi State Chapter, has strongly condemned the detention of its leader and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

The party’s position was made known by the State Chairman, Engr. Sufyan Bala, during a press conference held in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

 

According to him, the press conference was convened to draw the attention of the people of Kebbi State, democratic forces across Nigeria, and the international community to what the party described as a clear breach of the law by a law enforcement agency, contrary to the very laws it is mandated to uphold.

 

Engr. Sufyan Bala alleged that the EFCC has overstepped its constitutional role, stating that the commission appears to have “graduated from a law enforcement agency to becoming the law itself.”

 

He demanded the immediate release of Abubakar Malami, stressing that while the former Attorney General should not be treated as being above the law, he must equally not be treated below it. He further noted that, despite widespread insinuations, the EFCC has not formally accused Malami of any specific offence.

 

The ADC Chairman emphasized that the EFCC is a creation of the law and is therefore bound by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which governs the conduct of all law enforcement agencies.

 

He added that members of the ADC in Kebbi State have collectively resolved to remain steadfast in their membership of the party, describing it as the only viable platform for the salvation of what he termed the country’s beleaguered state.

 

The party also warned that it would resist any attempt by individuals or groups to deny its members their inalienable rights to full citizenship under the law, insisting that democracy cannot survive in an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, oppression, and lawlessness.

 

The ADC, in the strongest terms, condemned what it described as the unlawful and undue detention of Abubakar Malami, SAN, the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and called for his immediate release in line with the provisions of Section 37(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.