The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reopened a corruption investigation involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar after receiving a petition from former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma.
According to Vanguard, Agbonayinma’s petition seeks the commission to revisit its September 2006 investigation under former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu and examine a 2010 report by a United States Senate subcommittee.
The former lawmaker dated his petition August 27, 2026, and the EFCC received it on September 1. He subsequently visited the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on October 12 to formally adopt the petition and engage with investigators.
In the petition, Agbonayinma urged the anti-graft agency to reassess the earlier investigation and consider the findings contained in the US Senate subcommittee’s report as it examines the allegations.
He also called on the commission to establish whether the available evidence warrants further legal action, stressing the need for accountability in cases involving public officials.
The petition revisits allegations that have attracted scrutiny over the years. However, the renewed investigation does not establish that Atiku committed any offence, and the EFCC must assess the evidence before deciding on its next steps.
Meanwhile, Atiku’s camp has rejected the move, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to target the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest development comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the next general election, raising questions about the timing of the renewed investigation.
Notably, the EFCC’s review will determine whether the petition and the historical reports provide grounds for further action. Until the commission reaches a conclusion, the allegations remain allegations rather than proof of criminal wrongdoing.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
