Dino Melaye warns EFCC against arresting Atiku Abubakar

Former Senator Dino Melaye has issued a warning to the Nigerian Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the arrest or interrogation of Atiku Abubakar. The warning follows a petition filed by former lawmaker Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, which urges the EFCC to reopen a corruption case involving the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) dating back to 2005 and 2006.

Melaye, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), characterized the petition as a politically motivated attempt to target the opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He cautioned that any attempt to use the anti-graft agency to intimidate Atiku could trigger massive civil unrest, stating that the opposition would demonstrate that the people own the government.

Atiku has dismissed the renewed probe, noting that a Lagos State High Court set aside the original administrative indictments in December 2006, ruling them unconstitutional and flawed. The original allegations involved claims of money laundering and the diversion of approximately $135 million during Atiku’s tenure as Vice President.