Atiku graft probe reopened after petition

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopened its investigation into allegations against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar after a petition by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma seeking Abubakar’s prosecution over alleged financial crimes, Vanguard reports. The petition sought to revive the case, asking the EFCC to revisit its investigation under its former chairperson, Nuhu Ribadu, and its September 2006 report on Abubakar, as well as a 4 February 2010 report by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Agbonayinma said the EFCC acknowledged the petition, which it received on 1 September, and he appeared at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where he adopted the petition and answered investigators’ questions. The petition alleged the EFCC previously indicated Abubakar could face prosecution once he left office and his constitutional immunity ceased to apply, but no prosecution followed. Agbonayinma described the alleged failure to act as a dereliction of duty and argued pursuing the matter would demonstrate the commission’s resolve to hold politically influential figures accountable. He said the laws apply to rich and poor alike and the matter should not be kept under the table. Agbonayinma also said he petitioned US President Donald Trump over the allegations. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to messages seeking an update.

Full Vanguard report