Dino Melaye Warns EFCC against Probing Atiku

Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has issued a stern warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against probing presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for alleged financial crimes. At a town hall meeting organized by the ADC, Melaye vehemently opposed the idea of reopening investigations into Atiku, who had faced multiple investigations and trials under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Melaye argued that Atiku cannot be targeted by the very institution he helped create, the EFCC, which was established by the government he served in. He cited Atiku's 13 successful legal victories against related allegations as evidence that the former vice president had already been fully cleared.

Referring to the 2011 Tunisian revolution, Melaye cautioned that Nigerians might rise up against the government if it is perceived to be misusing state institutions against opposition figures like Atiku. He declared that the government belongs to the people and any attempt to target Atiku politically would be met with resistance.

The ADC chieftain also questioned the motive behind the recent petition by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma to the EFCC, arguing that Atiku had already been thoroughly investigated by multiple government bodies and courts, and no convictions had been obtained. Melaye alleged that supporters of the Tinubu administration were using old allegations to distract from the country's economic and security issues.

So far, the EFCC has not publicly responded to Agbonayinma's petition, and Atiku has rejected calls to reopen the investigations, stating that the matters have already been examined by various authorities without any criminal convictions.