A former member of the House of Representatives and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the reopening and prosecution of alleged financial crimes involving former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Agbonayinma, who also served as a former member of the Code of Conduct Bureau of Nigeria, gave the anti-graft agency 14 days to act on the demand, warning that he would institute legal action against the commission if it refuses or neglects to do so.
The petition was signed on Agbonayinma’s behalf by his Principal Counsel, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, SAN, of Sagitarian Law Firm.
In the petition, Agbonayinma alleged that the EFCC investigated allegations of “grand corrupt practices” involving Atiku between 2005 and 2006, when he was Vice President of Nigeria.
He claimed that following the investigation, the commission released a report titled “The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku (Full Report)” in September 2006.
According to the petitioner, the report established allegations bordering on sleaze, money laundering, financial crimes and other criminal acts involving Atiku.
The petition stated: “That although the allegations were mind-boggling and the EFCC vowed to Prosecute Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as soon as he leaves office as Vice President (being covered by Constitutional Immunity then), nothing has been done till date despite Public outcry both within and outside Nigeria.
“That this singular deliberate dereliction of duty on the part of the EFCC is a very serious violation of the Law establishing the EFCC and a direct affront on the People of Nigeria.
“That while the effectiveness of the EFCC has been commendable in several cases, this case of the Former Vice President Alhaji Abubakar Atiku is a reference point that brings embarrassment to Nigeria each time it is mentioned and tended to demonstrate the EFCC’s unwillingness to fight Corruption in high places especially when it involves high profile individuals even when nobody is above the Law.”
Agbonayinma further alleged that a United States Senate committee had independently investigated the matter and made findings concerning Atiku.
The petition stated: “That the United States of America Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on investigations, Homeland Security and Government Affairs also conducted their investigations on same matter and established serious Criminal allegations involving Money Laundering and other Financial crimes against Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in a report dated February 4, 2010.”
The petitioner also expressed confidence in the current EFCC leadership, arguing that reopening the matter would demonstrate the commission’s commitment to tackling corruption involving high-profile individuals.
“With all due respect, Sir, our Client believes that the present leadership at the EFCC has all it takes to bring Nigeria out of the high corruption index for which the country is presently infamous, and the Prosecution of this case will represent one of the greatest milestone achievements of your anti-corruption body,” the petition stated.
Agbonayinma consequently demanded that the EFCC reactivate its 2006 report alongside the alleged report of the United States Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, dated February 4, 2010, as the basis for prosecuting Atiku.
The petition further stated: “In the circumstances, it is the demand of our Client that the EFCC report and the report of the United States Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs report dated February 4, 2010, be reactivated as a basis for the immediate Prosecution of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku to serve as a deterrent.”
Issuing the 14-day ultimatum, the lawyers warned: “TAKE NOTICE that if, after 14 days of this letter, your Commission, the EFCC, refuses or neglects to act, our further instruction is to take legal action against your Commission.
“Meanwhile, please be assured of our best wishes and respectful regards.”
