ATIKU FACES FRESH PROBE AS EFCC REVISITS 2006 REPORT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reopened its investigation into former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar following a petition by a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, seeking his prosecution over alleged financial crimes.

The EFCC reopens Atiku case development revives a probe that dates back to 2006, when Nuhu Ribadu headed the anti-graft agency .

THE PETITION

The petition, dated August 27, 2026, and received by the EFCC on September 1, was filed through Agbonayinma’s lawyer, Chief Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, SAN.

The commission acknowledged the petition and confirmed that an investigation had commenced.

Agbonayinma appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, on October 12, where he formally adopted the petition and answered questions from investigators. He arrived at about 9:58 a.m. and left at approximately 4:07 p.m., after spending more than six hours with investigators.

Speaking with journalists after the session, Agbonayinma said the matter should not be allowed to remain unresolved.

“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 .

WHAT THE PETITION ALLEGES

The petition asks the EFCC to revisit its September 2006 report on Atiku and a February 4, 2010, report by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, arguing that both documents should form the basis for renewed action.

The investigation being revisited dates to 2006 and arose, in part, from a request by the United States Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice for Nigerian authorities to investigate transactions connected with American company iGate, Nigerian company Netlink Digital Television (NDTV), and related persons and entities.

The US authorities were investigating possible violations of American law, including allegations of bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy connected with business ventures promoted in Africa by then US Congressman William Jefferson.

Following the request, the EFCC under Ribadu extended its investigation to the management and placement of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds, which were under the supervision of the Office of the Vice-President .

The investigation examined the approval of $125 million for PTDF purposes, the placement of substantial portions of the funds in commercial banks, including Equatorial Trust Bank and Trans International Bank, and a subsequent $20 million transaction.

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A separate special audit and forensic investigation of the PTDF covering 1999 to May 31, 2006, examined the management of the fund and the circumstances surrounding the movement and placement of its resources.

The EFCC subsequently produced a report on its investigation in September 2006 .The petition now before the commission specifically refers to that document, titled “The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku (Full Report),” and asks the commission to reactivate the case.

THE 2006 CONTEXT

Following the EFCC investigation at the time, then President Olusegun Obasanjo constituted an administrative panel headed by then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bayo Ojo (SAN), to examine the findings concerning the PTDF transactions.

Atiku rejected allegations of wrongdoing and challenged the findings, maintaining that the investigations and subsequent actions were politically motivated and aimed at stopping his presidential ambition ahead of the 2007 election.

The petition alleges that the EFCC had previously indicated that Atiku could face prosecution after leaving office as vice-president, when his constitutional immunity ceased to apply, but that no prosecution followed .

Agbonayinma described the alleged failure to act as a dereliction of duty and argued that pursuing the matter would demonstrate the commission’s resolve to hold politically influential figures accountable .

He also disclosed that he had petitioned US President Donald Trump over the allegations.

THE EFCC’S RESPONS

EEFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale had yet to respond to messages seeking an update on the investigation as of the time of filing this report.

WHY IT MATTERS

The reopening of the Atiku case comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the 2027 general elections approaching and Atiku positioning himself as a leading opposition candidate.

Supporters of the former Vice-President are likely to view the timing as politically motivated, coming just weeks after the EFCC also took steps against other opposition figures.

Critics of the commission have long alleged that it is used as a tool against political opponents, a charge the EFCC denies .

The EFCC, for its part, insists it is merely enforcing the law.

Agbonayinma’s petition provides a formal basis for the investigation, and the commission has a statutory duty to consider it.

Whether the probe leads to charges or fades away, as it did nearly two decades ago, will be watched closely by Nigerians and by the political class.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the EFCC has reopened the Atiku case. Atiku has not yet responded publicly to the development.