Melaye Warns Against Arrest of Atiku Over Corruption Claims

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye issued a warning to the Federal Government against inviting, arresting, or interrogating Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over a corruption petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Melaye described the petition as frivolous and asserted that the ADC would demonstrate that the population of Nigerians exceeds those in government if Atiku is targeted.

The petition was submitted by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, calling for the reopening of corruption allegations against Atiku from his time as Vice-President, specifically referencing investigations from 2005 and 2006 related to abuse of office and money laundering. Atiku has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the allegations are politically motivated.

A Lagos State High Court previously set aside the EFCC's indictment against him in December 2006. As of the report's filing, there was no indication that Atiku had been invited or arrested by the EFCC.