By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, has challenged Senator Dino Melaye to produce any official decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or court record showing that allegations against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were investigated and dismissed more than a decade ago.
Agbonayinma made the challenge in a strongly worded statement made available to journalists in Benin on Friday, while reacting to Melaye’s criticism of his petition against Atiku.
Melaye had, in a viral video, described the petition as “shameful”, alleging that the issues raised against Atiku had previously been investigated and dismissed more than 10 years ago.
The former Kogi senator also questioned Agbonayinma’s political consistency, alleging that he had personally approached him and pleaded to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Agbonayinma, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that he had never sought to join the ADC and remained a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He described Melaye’s claim as “either a deliberate falsehood or simply a reflection of how poorly informed” the senator was about his current political affiliation.
According to him, his petition was filed in his capacity as a concerned Nigerian seeking public accountability and not as an instrument of political vendetta.
Agbonayinma said allegations of corruption should be investigated by the appropriate anti-graft agency, stressing that neither Atiku nor any other public official should be shielded from lawful scrutiny.
“Rather than attacking my person, character and integrity, why not address the substance of the petition?” he asked.
“You cannot defend Atiku Abubakar from an EFCC petition by attacking me,” he said, challenging Melaye to allow the commission to perform its statutory responsibilities.
The former lawmaker added that if Atiku had nothing to fear, he should be allowed to respond to any questions the commission might consider necessary.
Reacting to Melaye’s description of him as “unstable”, Agbonayinma dismissed the remark as a childish insult.
“My record in public service speaks for itself, and I am prepared to defend my integrity anywhere,” he said.
He also challenged Melaye to produce the official EFCC decision or court record supporting his claim that the matter had been “thrown out over ten years ago.”
Agbonayinma said he was not intimidated by what he described as Melaye’s “noise”, “theatrics” or personal attacks, insisting that the controversy should be settled through evidence.
“If you have evidence against me, bring it forward. If you have facts concerning the petition, present them,” he stated.
“Defend the facts, not personalities,” he added, reiterating that political friendship or loyalty should not be used as a shield against lawful investigation.
The controversy has also generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning why Atiku should be treated differently if an anti-graft agency considers his invitation necessary.
A Facebook user who reacted when the controversy first broke said: “This Dino, when Atiku is captured, will run and climb a tree as usual. If there is a reason to invite or arrest Atiku, EFCC should go ahead and heaven will not fall.”
Another user said: “President Jonathan docked Tinubu before Code of Conduct Tribunal. The trial went on till Tinubu was given a clean bill of health. If there is a need to invite Atiku, let EFCC or ICPC do it. He is not above the law.”
The latest exchange has consequently shifted attention from the personalities involved to the central question of whether an official record exists to substantiate Melaye’s claim that the allegations were previously investigated and dismissed.