AGF Malami tells Court that Atiku Abubakar is not fit to contest for President

The attorney-general of the Federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has told a Nigerian court that a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, is unfit to contest for president under the Nigerian constitution.

Malami’s arguments were in support of the suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), challenging Atiku eligibility to contest for the high office.

Atiku Abubakar Malami San

EMA alleged that from the circumstances surrounding his birth, the former vice president cannot contest for the top office because he is a not a citizen of Nigeria, The Nation reported.

The minister of justice who was joined in the suit, told the court through his team of lawyers, led by Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), that as argued by the plaintiff, Atiku's Nigerian citizenship is in doubt.

Although the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2019 was filed before the 2019 presidential election, it is yet to be heard and determined.

The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo had on March 15, 2021, said the suit was ripe for hearing. He has fixed May 4 for the commencement of the proceedings.

The outcome of the suit would determine if Atiku can contest in future presidential elections in Nigeria.