The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the administration of Bola Tinubu is applying selective justice in the handling of legal proceedings involving former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.
The opposition party expressed concern over what it described as the sequence of arrests, transfers between law enforcement agencies, and the speed of enforcement actions against the two politicians. According to the ADC, the pattern has fueled public debate about whether the rule of law is being applied impartially across political divides.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it had been closely monitoring developments affecting its members.
“The ADC has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr. Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from Kebbi State, and El-Rufai, the 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.
“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 Malami and El-Rufai, where the manner, speed, and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised serious public concern about consistency and fairness.”
The party questioned the repeated movement of the two men between different law enforcement agencies while investigations are reportedly ongoing.
“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,” the statement continued.
“In a democracy that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, custody must follow credible, well-prepared charges, not precede them in a manner that creates the appearance of pre-trial punishment.
“If there is evidence against Malami, prosecute him transparently. If there is evidence against El-Rufai, present it before the court and allow the law to take its course.”
The ADC also referenced what it described as a contrasting high-profile case involving allegations of passport forgery, international conspiracy, and impersonation. It noted that in that matter, the defendants pleaded not guilty, were granted bail, and court proceedings are progressing swiftly.
“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 with dispatch before the court.
“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.”
Reaffirming its position, the party vowed to support its members through the legal process.
“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,” the ADC added