The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been given a 14-day ultimatum to reopen and prosecute alleged financial crimes involving African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, made the demand in a letter dated August 27 and received by the EFCC on September 1, through his lawyers at Sagitarian Law Firm.
According to the letter, the request was based on an EFCC investigation report which contained allegations of ‘sleaze, money laundering, and other serious financial crimes’ involving the former vice-president.
The lawyers alleged that the EFCC had indicated it would prosecute Atiku after he left office, but no such prosecution took place. They described the alleged failure as a ‘serious violation’ of the law establishing the EFCC.
They also cited a February 4, 2010 report by the United States Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations, which they said contained serious allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes against Atiku.
The letter urged the EFCC to reactivate both the 2006 EFCC report and the 2010 US Senate report as a basis for the ‘immediate prosecution’ of the former vice-president.
“Our client believes that the present leadership at the EFCC has all it takes to bring Nigeria out of the high corruption index,” the letter stated.
The lawyers warned that failure to act within 14 days would compel their client to commence legal proceedings against the commission.
