Former federal lawmaker Dino Melaye has criticised a petition asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen an alleged financial crimes case involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku is the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Melaye described the petition as an attempt to revive a matter he said had already been dismissed.
Petition Sent to EFCC
The controversy followed a petition by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma.
Agbonayinma asked the EFCC to reopen an investigation into allegations involving Atiku during his time as vice president.
He gave the commission 14 days to act on the petition.
The former lawmaker also warned that he would consider legal action against the EFCC if the agency failed to respond.
Allegations Date Back to 2005
According to the petition, the allegations date back to 2005 and 2006.
Agbonayinma claimed that the EFCC had investigated allegations of grand corruption involving Atiku during that period.
The petition was signed on his behalf by his lawyer, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, SAN, of Sagitarian Law Firm.
Melaye Attacks the Petition
Melaye reacted in a video shared on his official X account.
He questioned why a matter he described as old should be brought back.
According to Melaye, the petition had already been thrown out more than a decade ago.
He called the attempt to revive it “shameful.”
Melaye also criticised Agbonayinma’s political movements.
He referred to the former lawmaker’s previous movement between political parties.
Melaye Questions Petitioner’s Credibility
Melaye alleged that Agbonayinma had moved from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress and later to the National Democratic Congress before returning to the APC.
He used those movements to question the petitioner’s credibility.
Melaye also described him in highly critical terms.
His comments were directed at the petitioner and did not establish whether the allegations against Atiku were valid or invalid.
Petition Now Before the EFCC
The petition has nevertheless put the alleged historical case back into public discussion.
The EFCC’s response to the new request was not included in the report.
The allegations against Atiku also remain allegations unless established through due legal process.
