By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Atiku Abubakar and EFCC |
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially reactivated its probe into former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following a formal petition filed by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma.
The petition urges the anti-corruption agency to revisit a decades-old case originating in 2006 under the leadership of the commission's pioneer chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, alongside findings from a subsequent United States Senate subcommittee report.
Speaking on the development, Agbonayinma confirmed that the EFCC acknowledged receipt of the petition, which was drafted by his legal counsel, Chief Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo (SAN). Originally dated August 27, 2026, the document was formally received by the anti-graft agency on September 1.
Following the submission, the former lawmaker visited the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, to adopt the petition and brief investigators on the allegations.
Addressing journalists, Agbonayinma emphasized that high-profile corruption allegations must be fully addressed regardless of the status of the individuals involved.
“I want to thank Nigerians, the EFCC, and those praying for me in this struggle. The laws are meant for both the rich and the poor. After the EFCC has done a fantastic job, it should not be kept under the table,” Agbonayinma stated.
According to the petition, the EFCC is being urged to align its original September 2006 investigative findings on Atiku with a February 4, 2010 report published by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
The petition highlights that the EFCC had previously noted Atiku could face legal proceedings upon stepping down as vice president when his constitutional immunity lapsed. However, no formal charges were brought against him following his tenure. Agbonayinma argued that revisiting the case is crucial to demonstrating the agency's commitment to holding prominent political figures accountable.
In addition to filing with the local anti-graft body, the former lawmaker revealed that he has submitted a related petition to US President Donald Trump regarding the matter.
As of press time, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale had not responded to requests for comment or updates regarding the status of the investigation.