The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified scrutiny on two prominent figures now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC): former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. These developments, unfolding in recent weeks, have drawn accusations from the opposition party that the probes are selective and designed to weaken emerging political alternatives ahead of future elections.
Hajiya Hassana Shuaibu Dada, Assistant National Youth Leader (North Central) of the ADC, issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday condemning the EFCC’s involvement in cases against the two men. She described the actions as “politically motivated efforts to weaken the ADC because we represent a real alternative to the ruling party.”
In her statement, Dada said: “The selective prosecutions of our leaders, Hon. Abubakar Malami and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, through the EFCC are clearly politically motivated efforts to weaken the ADC because we represent a real alternative to the ruling party.”
She expressed solidarity with the affected leaders and party members nationwide, adding: “These efforts will not intimidate us; instead, they will only strengthen our unity and resolve.”
Dada further stressed the ADC’s commitment, stating the party remains dedicated to justice, inclusion, and national renewal. She called on Nigerians to stay vigilant and support the ADC as a platform for good governance and progress.
The EFCC’s actions against Malami date back to late 2025. In December 2025, the commission arraigned him, alongside his son Abdulaziz Malami and wife Hajia Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge of money laundering involving over N8.7 billion. The allegations include concealing unlawful proceeds through property acquisitions and company structures, with properties worth approximately N212.89 billion traced to him in locations such as Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi State. A court granted bail in early January 2026, though subsequent delays and related proceedings, including an interim forfeiture order for assets, have kept aspects of the matter active. A judge later recused himself from related cases in February 2026.
Malami has faced additional scrutiny from other agencies, including fresh charges from the Department of State Services (DSS) related to terrorism financing and arms possession allegations.
For El-Rufai, the EFCC probe escalated in February 2026. Following an invitation issued in December 2025—while he was abroad—El-Rufai presented himself voluntarily at the commission’s Abuja headquarters on February 16, 2026. Investigators questioned him over alleged financial misconduct during his governorship from 2015 to 2023, centring on claims of about N432 billion in misappropriated public funds. These stem from a 2024 ad hoc committee report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which highlighted issues such as abuse of office, diversion of funds, money laundering, irregular contract awards, and reckless borrowing. The former governor spent multiple nights in EFCC custody as questioning continued, with his legal team pushing for bail.
Separately, the DSS filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Both Malami and El-Rufai served in senior roles under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Malami was Attorney-General from 2015 to 2023, while El-Rufai governed Kaduna State over the same period. Their recent association with the ADC—a relatively small but growing opposition party—has coincided with heightened anti-graft actions. The ADC has positioned itself as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), attracting figures disillusioned with the current political landscape.
The EFCC has not publicly responded to the ADC’s characterisation of the cases as politically driven. Anti-corruption probes in Nigeria have historically drawn similar claims from opposition figures when targeting prominent individuals, though agencies maintain that investigations follow petitions, evidence, and legal processes without regard to political affiliation.
The timing has raised questions about selectivity, especially as other former officials from the Buhari era have faced EFCC scrutiny in recent months. However, official records show the El-Rufai probe originated from state-level petitions endorsed unanimously by the Kaduna Assembly, while Malami’s cases involve traceable financial transactions and asset declarations.
