Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against inviting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for questioning over longstanding allegations of financial crimes.
Melaye issued the warning at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) All Support Groups town hall meeting in Abuja, where he criticised calls for the anti-graft agency to reopen investigations into allegations involving Atiku.
Melaye defends Atiku
Reacting to a petition submitted to the EFCC by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, Melaye argued that Atiku had been investigated by government institutions on several occasions without being convicted.
Agbonayinma, through his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo of Sagitarian Law Firm, reportedly gave the EFCC 14 days to act on the petition, which called for the reopening of investigations and prosecution of Atiku over alleged financial crimes.
The petition referenced an EFCC investigation and report concerning Atiku between 2005 and 2006, when he was vice-president, as well as a 2010 report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations containing allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes.
The allegations cited in the petition have not resulted in a criminal conviction against Atiku.
Melaye said:
“Atiku was part of the government that created the EFCC. You cannot use the EFCC to torment the creator of the EFCC,” he said.
He further claimed that Atiku had been investigated repeatedly during and after the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I, as Dino Melaye, I am aware that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been investigated by Olusegun Obasanjo and the federal government time and time and time and time again,” he said.
“In fact, federal government versus Atiku Abubakar, 13 cases. And Atiku Abubakar won all the 13 cases.”
‘Invite Atiku and see trouble’
Melaye warned the Federal Government against what he described as a politically motivated attempt to use the EFCC against Atiku ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My note of warning is this. And this note of warning is straight to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That the day EFCC invites Atiku Abubakar before election, then Tinubu will know that government is not owned by those in government,” he said.
“Government is owned by the people. Any day, due to these frivolous petitions, you invite, arrest or interview Atiku Abubakar, and we are not saying it with fear or favour; we mean it. Invite Atiku and see trouble.”
Melaye references Tunisia revolution
The former senator also referenced the 2011 Tunisian revolution while warning against the perceived misuse of state institutions against opposition figures.
“We will tell you that what happened in Tunisia can happen in Nigeria. We will prove to you that those in government are less than one percent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“We will prove to you that the people own government. Government is not owned by those in government.”
Melaye’s comments come amid renewed political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with the EFCC petition against Atiku adding another dimension to the ongoing political debate.