No citizen above law, justice must be fair, ADC defends Malami, El-Rufai

The African Democratic Congress has raised concerns over what it described as selective enforcement of the law, insisting that former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, are entitled to the full constitutional presumption of innocence as their legal cases unfold.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party pledged not to abandon Malami, El-Rufai and others facing prosecution.

Last week, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered that Malami, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai voluntarily honoured an invitation from the EFCC on February 16 and remained in its custody until the night of February 18, after which he was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission for further investigation over alleged financial misconduct and related offences.

Reacting to the developments, the ADC stated that while no citizen is above the law, justice must be applied fairly and without selectivity in a constitutional democracy.

“The African Democratic Congress has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from Kebbi State, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State,” the statement read.

“As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office, is above the law. However, in a constitutional democracy where the law is seen to operate selectively, it becomes imperative to insist, firmly and without apology, that justice must be applied evenly, transparently and without political calculation, particularly in cases such as those involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, where the manner, speed and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised serious public concerns about consistency and fairness.”

The party urged Nigerians to compare the handling of the cases with other high-profile matters.

Reacting to the developments, the ADC stated that while no citizen is above the law, justice must be applied fairly and without selectivity in a constitutional democracy.

“The African Democratic Congress has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from Kebbi State, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State,” the statement read.

“As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office, is above the law. However, in a constitutional democracy where the law is seen to operate selectively, it becomes imperative to insist, firmly and without apology, that justice must be applied evenly, transparently and without political calculation, particularly in cases such as those involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, where the manner, speed and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised serious public concerns about consistency and fairness.”

The party urged Nigerians to compare the handling of the cases with other high-profile matters.

“Nigerians should consider a recent high-profile case. At its centre are grave allegations of passport forgery, international conspiracy, impersonation and the alleged use of a disputed international passport in support of a property claim in London. These are not minor procedural questions. They touch on issues of national integrity and international credibility. Yet, in that case, the accused persons pleaded not guilty, were granted bail, and the matter is proceeding expeditiously before the court,” it stated.

“In contrast, in the cases involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, we have witnessed prolonged custodial movements, inter-agency transfers and processes that appear to precede, rather than follow, fully crystallised prosecution.”

The ADC stressed that its position was rooted in constitutional principles rather than partisan loyalty.

“At the same time, let there be no ambiguity about our position. Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai are first citizens of Nigeria before they are opposition leaders or members of the African Democratic Congress,” the statement added.

The party further argued that the presumption of innocence accorded to Malami and El-Rufai must be upheld as a constitutional right.

“They are therefore presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven otherwise in a fair and competent court of law. That presumption should not be treated as a courtesy, but as a constitutional guarantee.

We will continue to stand by our members as they assert their legal rights. We will ensure that they are not isolated, intimidated or denied the protections that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to under the law.

“We will never abandon our people in moments of trial. We will never leave any of our members behind.”