Ex-lawmaker urges EFCC to reopen Atiku’s alleged financial crimes case

Former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma has approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to request a reevaluation of the investigation into former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's alleged financial crimes, according to a statement from August 27, 2026. The EFCC acknowledged the petition on September 1 after it was submitted through Agbonayinma's lawyer, Chief Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, SAN.

Agbonayinma, visiting the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, affirmed the petition and answered questions from the commission's investigators.

The ex-lawmaker urged the commission to revisit its 2006 report on Atiku and a 2010 report by a United States Senate subcommittee. He maintains that the matter requires further action, arguing that public officials should be held to the same standards as other citizens. The petition specifically asked the commission to review its 2006 report on Atiku and the 2010 report from the U.S. Senate.

Agbonayinma alleged that the EFCC had previously indicated Atiku could be prosecuted after leaving office, but the prosecution never took place.

Describing the lack of action as a failure to fulfill its responsibilities, Agbonayinma called on the commission to reconsider the case and determine subsequent steps. He emphasized that renewed attention to the case would reinforce the principle that political influence should not grant immunity from accountability under the law. Additionally, Agbonayinma revealed that he had submitted a petition to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the allegations.