A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, has said he petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate corruption allegations against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Agbonayinma said he filed the petition as a concerned Nigerian and in the interest of public accountability.
He also faulted Senator Dino Melaye’s criticism of the petition against Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, Agbonayinma challenged Melaye to produce any official EFCC decision or court record that cleared Atiku of the allegations.
‘Rather than attacking my person, character and integrity, why not address the substance of the petition?’ he asked, challenging Melaye to allow the EFCC to perform its statutory responsibilities.
‘You cannot defend Atiku Abubakar from an EFCC petition by attacking me,’ he said, adding that if the former Vice President had nothing to fear, he should be allowed to respond to any questions the commission considered necessary.
‘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 said, reiterating that nobody should use political friendship or loyalty as a shield against lawful investigation.’