Supporters of former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), have expressed concern over his continued detention, describing it as evidence of “selective justice” and a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Speaking at a gathering of the Malami Support Organisation in Birnin Kebbi, the group’s Director of Strategy and Communication, Mallam Saidu Abubakar, said Malami’s arrest and prolonged detention raise “troubling constitutional concerns that Nigeria cannot afford to ignore.”
“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy governed by law, not by executive impulse, administrative convenience, or political vendetta,” Abubakar said.
He stressed that developments undermining due process erode the foundations of governance, insisting, “No democracy can function where personal liberty and fair hearing are treated as optional.”
He called on civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association, human rights groups, and the international community to pay close attention to what he described as “a dangerous pattern of selective justice taking root in Nigeria.”
Abubakar cited constitutional protections, noting that Section 35 guarantees the right to liberty, while Section 36 upholds the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair hearing.
“Any deviation from these provisions is an assault on the constitutional order,” he said.
Malami, who served as Attorney General from 2015 to 2023, remains a prominent figure in national politics. Since leaving office, he has faced multiple corruption-related allegations from anti-graft agencies, which he has consistently denied.
“This is not accountability,” one MSO member said. “This is punishment for being on the wrong side of power.”
The MSO urged supporters to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to peaceful democratic engagement. They also called on security agencies to respect constitutional procedures and ensure due process is upheld without discrimination.
