A support group backing former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Chika Malami, has condemned his continued detention, describing it as a grave threat to Nigeria’s justice system and democratic values.
The group, operating under the banner of the Malami Support Organisation (MSO), raised the concern during a meeting of its members held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. According to the organisation, the circumstances surrounding Malami’s arrest and prolonged detention raise serious questions about due process and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Director of Strategy and Communication, Mallam Saidu Atiku Abubakar, argued that Nigeria’s Constitution clearly guarantees the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, and the presumption of innocence. He warned that any deviation from these constitutional safeguards undermines democratic governance and weakens public trust in the justice system.
Abubakar further alleged that the handling of Malami’s case suggested selective enforcement of the law, cautioning that the deployment of state institutions against perceived political opponents could erode confidence in democratic institutions. He stressed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, irrespective of political affiliations.
The group called on civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, human rights groups, and pro-democracy advocates to closely monitor developments surrounding the case. It also appealed to international human rights bodies and diplomatic missions to scrutinise what it described as increasing political intimidation in the country.
MSO urged law enforcement agencies to strictly adhere to constitutional provisions in handling the matter and appealed to its members to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as the situation unfolds.
