Urges further probe into attack on Obi, others
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the Federal Government against selective justice, with a vow to stand by former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and any of its members.
  
This was as the South-South Zone of the ADC urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to unearth the financier and those who provided logistics for the attack on the Edo State secretariat of the party and the residence of the party’s national leader, John Odigie-Oyegun.
  
el-Rufai and Malami are on trial over alleged financial sleaze, wiretapping and monumental misappropriation of publicfunds.
  
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC expressed concern that its members were being treated differently from those in other high-profile cases involving allegations of passport forgery and international conspiracy.
  
The party justified its allegations of selective justice, arguing that those involved in equally serious crimes were granted bail and that proceedings moved swiftly.
  
The statement reads: “The ADC has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Malami from Kebbi State and el-Rufai from Kaduna.
  
“As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes that 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 Malami and el-Rufai, where the manner, speed and sequence of enforcement have understandably raised serious public concern about consistency and fairness.”
  
ADC said the movement of Malami and el-Rufai from the custody of one law enforcement agency to another, in rapid succession, while investigations appear ongoing, raised profound public concern
  
“When a citizen is transferred from one detention facility to another before investigations are demonstrably concluded, it inevitably begs the question: is detention being used as an investigative shortcut, or as an instrument of pressure to keep these opposition leaders out of circulation? 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,” the party added. 
  
ADC called for immediate public clarification from the relevant authorities on the precise status and stage of investigations concerning Malami and el-Rufai, strict adherence to constitutional safeguards protecting against arbitrary or prolonged detention, transparent and time-bound prosecution of any charge supported by credible evidence, and equal application of the law without discrimination based on political alignment.

The DSS, on Sunday, arrested a suspect named Udeme Stephen, believed to be linked to the attack on the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some chieftains of ADC in Benin City, Edo State.
   
In a statement yesterday by the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, 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.