A former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to reopen an alleged financial crimes case involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Agbonayinma, through his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo of Sagitarian Law Firm, gave the EFCC 14 days to act on the request. The former lawmaker warned that he would take legal action against the commission if it failed to act within the period.
Agbonayinma cites 2006 EFCC report
The petition, dated August 27 and received by the EFCC on September 1, relies on an earlier investigation into allegations involving Atiku.
According to the petition, the EFCC investigated the allegations between 2005 and 2006, when Atiku served as vice president. Agbonayinma’s lawyer referred to a September 2006 document titled “The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku (Full Report).”
The petition claimed that the report contained allegations of corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes involving the former vice president. Agbonayinma further alleged that the EFCC had indicated its intention to prosecute Atiku after he left office.
However, he claimed that no prosecution followed despite the expiration of Atiku’s constitutional immunity as vice president. The petitioner described the alleged failure to prosecute as a serious violation of the law establishing the EFCC.
Petitioner cites US Senate report
Agbonayinma also referred to a February 4, 2010 report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The subcommittee operated under the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
According to the petition, the US report contained allegations relating to money laundering and other financial crimes involving Atiku.
Agbonayinma therefore asked the EFCC to reactivate both its 2006 report and the US Senate report. He wants the two documents considered as a basis for what his lawyers described as the immediate prosecution of Atiku.
The former lawmaker said reopening the case would demonstrate the EFCC’s commitment to tackling corruption involving high-profile Nigerians.
Agbonayinma threatens legal action
Agbonayinma also praised the current EFCC leadership and expressed confidence in its ability to pursue the matter. He argued that prosecuting the case would strengthen the commission’s anti-corruption efforts and restore public confidence. The petitioner gave the EFCC 14 days to respond to his demand.
He warned that failure to act within the period would prompt him to seek legal remedies against the commission. The request comes as Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, continues his preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The allegations referenced in the petition date back to Atiku’s time as vice president between 2005 and 2006. The latest development concerns Agbonayinma’s demand for renewed action and does not itself amount to a new criminal charge or conviction against Atiku.
