EFCC Reopens Investigation into Allegations Against Atiku

By James Ike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged a fresh petition seeking renewed action on allegations against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, confirming that investigations into the issues raised have commenced.

The petition was filed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, who urged the anti-graft agency to revisit its earlier findings and take appropriate action on the allegations.

Agbonayinma disclosed that the commission acknowledged receipt of his petition, dated August 27, 2026, on September 1, 2026.

The petition, filed through his lawyer, Chief Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, SAN, seeks the reactivation of an earlier EFCC report and a fresh examination of the issues raised against the former vice-president.

As part of the process, the former lawmaker appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where he adopted the petition and responded to questions from investigators.

Speaking on the development, Agbonayinma said he was determined to ensure that the matter was not left unresolved, stressing that the law should apply equally to all Nigerians, regardless of their social or political standing.

“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,” he said.

In the petition, Agbonayinma asked the commission to revisit its September 2006 report on Atiku and a February 4, 2010, report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

He argued that the two reports should provide a basis for renewed scrutiny of the allegations and any further action considered appropriate by the commission.

The petition further alleged that the EFCC had previously indicated that Atiku could face prosecution after leaving office as vice-president, when his constitutional immunity ceased to apply.

Agbonayinma, however, questioned why no prosecution followed, describing the alleged failure to act as a dereliction of duty and urging the commission to clarify its position on the matter.

He maintained that pursuing the petition would demonstrate the EFCC's commitment to accountability and the enforcement of the law, including in cases involving politically influential individuals.

The former lawmaker also disclosed that he had petitioned United States President Donald Trump over the allegations.

However, the allegations contained in the petition have not been independently established in the information available for this report, and the filing of a petition does not in itself establish wrongdoing.

Efforts to obtain an official update from the EFCC were unsuccessful, as the commission's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, had yet to respond to messages seeking clarification on the status of the investigation as of the time of filing this report.