A coalition of civil society groups, known as the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations against former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a transparent and independent manner. The group made the call during a rally and protest in Abuja, emphasizing the need for accountability and equality before the law.
The coalition's objective is not to convict anyone in the court of public opinion but to promote transparency and accountability. According to Comrade Solomon Adodo, the convener of the coalition, recent public reports have revived allegations concerning Atiku, drawing attention to an earlier EFCC investigation reportedly conducted in 2005 and 2006.
The group noted that the allegations against Atiku remain claims and do not amount to a conviction, insisting that he, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. Adodo emphasized that the age of an allegation should not prevent the authorities from examining it where credible evidence or a properly constituted petition brings the matter back before the relevant agency.
The coalition urged the EFCC to review relevant historical investigative materials and examine any new evidence that may have emerged. They also called on the commission to act as a matter of national priority and save Nigeria's democracy from persons with questionable traits.
Adodo stressed that public officials and prominent Nigerians should neither be placed above nor below the law, insisting that the same legal standards should apply to all. He urged the EFCC to acknowledge and transparently process all properly submitted petitions concerning the allegations and conduct any further investigation deemed legally necessary.
The group maintained that Nigeria cannot fight corruption selectively and that investigations should not depend on who is involved. They emphasized that the campaign is not an attack against Atiku but a broader call for institutional integrity.
The coalition directly addressed the EFCC leadership, urging them to remain focused on evidence and the law, regardless of the political implications. They also called on the commission to prosecute all cases in which admissible evidence establishes a prosecutable offence and to publicly communicate its conclusions where allegations are not substantiated.
Key points
- The EFCC is urged to investigate allegations against Atiku Abubakar in a transparent and independent manner.
- The coalition emphasizes the need for accountability and equality before the law for all Nigerians.
- The group calls for the EFCC to remain focused on evidence and the law, regardless of political implications.
