Any EFCC, DSS arrest of Atiku at this time will be clearly indefensible – MURIC
By KEMI KASUMU
Senator Melaye had warned the EFCC against venturing to even invite Atiku as that would backfire against the agency now generally believed to be tool for political witch-hunting by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the Federal Government against any move to arrest or prosecute former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over renewed corruption allegations.
MURIC said such a move, coming ahead of the 2027 general elections, would send the wrong signal to Nigerians and amount to a lack of tact and emotional intelligence.
The group stated this in a three-paragraph statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement followed concerns raised by former Senator Dino Melaye over a fresh petition seeking the reopening of allegations against Atiku.
MURIC said, “Senator Dino Melaye, a leading opposition figure, has raised alarm on a
recent attempt to resurrect corruption cases against former vice president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (‘Resurrecting the dead’: Melaye slams fresh EFCC petition against Atiku https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/09/17/resurrecting-the-dead-melaye-slams-fresh-efcc-petition-against-atiku/).
”We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians. With 2027 general elections at the doorsteps, we will like to caution the Federal Government (FG) against such a move. It lacks tact. It is also long in impunity, short in emotional intelligence.*
”At all cost, FG must avoid exhibiting a body language that is likely to portray Nigeria as a banana republic. We lost the ethical ground. What is left for us are our democratic values and norms. Our corporate image in the global community is sinking fast,” said the statement.
The controversy centres on renewed calls for the EFCC to revisit allegations involving Atiku. No finding of guilt against Atiku has been established by the fresh petition merely by virtue of its submission.
Senator Melaye had said Atiku has been investigated everywhere only for the APC politicians, in a bid to ensure only Tinubu will go to the February 2027 presidential election unopposed, are reopening sane matter needlessly.
He warned the EFCC against venturing to “even invite Atiku” as that would backfire against the agency now generally believed to be tool for political witch-hunting by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
