A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate allegations of financial infractions involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability made the demand at a rally in Abuja, insisting that the call was not for Atiku to be convicted in the court of public opinion but for any credible allegations against him to be subjected to due process.
The development follows a petition submitted to the EFCC by former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, seeking the reopening and prosecution of alleged financial crimes involving Atiku during his tenure as vice-president. The petition, dated August 27, 2026, and received by the EFCC on September 1, reportedly relied on an earlier investigation conducted by the commission between 2005 and 2006 and a September 2006 document titled The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku.
Speaking at the rally, Convener of the coalition, Comrade Solomon Adodo, said the group was demanding transparency, accountability and equal treatment before the law. He said: “Our message to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is simple: investigate credible allegations. Follow the evidence. Let the law take its course.” Adodo said the age of the allegations should not, by itself, prevent the appropriate authorities from examining them if credible evidence or a properly constituted petition had brought the matter back before the commission.
The coalition urged the EFCC to review the historical investigative materials as well as any new evidence presented to it, asking the commission to determine what evidence exists, what transactions require clarification and whether further investigation is warranted. It also called on the commission to invite any person whose testimony or clarification was necessary, including Atiku, in accordance with due process.
The groups, however, stressed that the allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt, saying Atiku was entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair process. “If evidence establishes wrongdoing, prosecution should follow in accordance with the law. If evidence does not establish wrongdoing, the matter should be closed transparently and the public informed,” the coalition said.
The coalition consequently urged the EFCC to acknowledge and transparently process properly submitted petitions, review relevant historical investigative materials, conduct any further investigation legally warranted and proceed with prosecution where admissible evidence established an offence. It also urged the commission to make its findings known if the allegations could not be substantiated, saying Nigerians should not be left to rely on rumours and political speculation.
The demand was endorsed by several civil society groups, including the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, Guardians of Democracy and Development, and Civil Society Groups for Good Governance. They urged the EFCC to act promptly, independently and lawfully on any credible allegations before it, saying the outcome should ultimately be determined by evidence, due process and the rule of law.
Key points
- The coalition wants the EFCC to investigate credible allegations against Atiku Abubakar.
- The group urges the EFCC to follow the evidence and let the law take its course.
- The demand was endorsed by several civil society groups.
