ADC argues selective justice in cases involving El-Rufai, Malami

• The African Democratic Congress has accused the administration of President Tinubu of selective justice in legal actions involving its leaders
• The party insisted that justice must be applied evenly in cases concerning Nasir el-Rufai and Abubakar Malami
• ADC called for transparent, time-bound prosecution of any credible charges and equal application of the rule of law
• The party also urged the Department of State Services to investigate attacks on its facilities and hold perpetrators accountable

The African Democratic Congress has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of applying selective justice in the handling of legal cases involving its leaders, including former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

The opposition party argued that the sequence of arrests, transfers between law enforcement agencies, and the pace of legal proceedings against the two men have raised concerns about fairness and equal application of the rule of law. 

The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party supports accountability but insists that justice must be applied without political bias.

“The movement of Malami and el-Rufai from the custody of one agency to another while investigations are ongoing has triggered public concern. In a constitutional democracy, detention must follow credible charges rather than precede them in a manner that appears punitive,” the party stated.

ADC also contrasted the treatment of its members with other high-profile cases in which defendants facing allegations of forgery and international conspiracy were granted bail and allowed to proceed with trial. 

It argued that all accused persons are constitutionally presumed innocent until proven guilty and urged authorities to clarify the status of investigations.

At the same time, the party’s South-South zone called on the Department of State Services to investigate attacks on party facilities, including the Edo State secretariat and the residence of former party leader John Odigie-Oyegun, demanding accountability for those responsible.

In a statement by the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, on Tuesday, March 3, ADC notes that the severity of what transpired and the sequence of events necessitated a more thorough investigation than a single arrest alone would suggest. 

The statement reads, “The ADC South-South leadership commends the DSS for taking action. Yet, Nigerians deserve clear answers to fundamental questions: Was this truly the act of a single individual? Who financed it? Who provided logistical support? And who benefits from the climate of fear it sought to instil?

“We acknowledge the reported arrest of 26-year-old Udeme Sunday Stephen by the DSS in connection with the February 24 attacks in Benin City. For clarity and for the record: The violence did not originate at the residence of Odigie-Oyegun.”

Oboh clarified that the attack took place at the party secretariat, which left several individuals injured, while the attackers moved to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence and destroyed vehicles parked outside, while the party leaders were meeting inside.

The party maintained that it will continue to support its members while calling for transparent, time-bound prosecution of any credible charges and equal application of the law across political lines. 

It urged authorities to ensure that custody and investigation procedures do not create perceptions of pre-trial punishment or selective enforcement.

The party reiterated that no individual is above the law but insisted that the rule of law must operate consistently and without political calculation in order to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.