Ntufam Hilliard Eta, former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law-enforcement agencies to investigate petitions and allegations of financial crimes involving Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
Eta made the call on Tuesday during a press conference at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, insisting that political considerations must give way to accountability, regardless of the political status of the person involved.
Atiku, a former vice-president who served from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has recently intensified criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over insecurity, hardship, poverty, unemployment, hunger and rising food and fuel prices.
Atiku has also consistently criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as excessive borrowing without commensurate development, as well as its management of public resources and implementation of social intervention programmes.
Etta, a former member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) said, ‘I am calling on the appropriate law-enforcement and anti-corruption authorities to fully investigate the allegations and petitions concerning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and, where the evidence establishes criminal offences, prosecute him in accordance with Nigerian law.’
However, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s meda aide, was yet to respond to a request for comment by our Correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
The allegations
Eta said, ‘For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians deserve to know precisely what has been alleged rather than dealing with vague political accusations.
‘First, there were allegations concerning the movement of more than US$40 million in suspect funds into the United States between 2000 and 2008 through offshore corporations and accounts associated with Jennifer Douglas, Atiku Abubakar’s wife.
‘The U.S. Senate investigation examined transfers involving entities including LetsGo Ltd., Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Ltd. and Sima Holding Ltd. According to the Senate report, more than half of the funds; approximately US$25 million; were transferred by offshore corporations into U.S. bank accounts opened by Douglas (Homeland Security Committee, 2010).
‘Second, the U.S. Senate report examined allegations involving payments connected to Siemens AG. The report stated that Douglas received at least US$1.7 million in alleged bribe payments connected to Siemens, while an SEC civil complaint had alleged US$2.8 million in bribe payments to her from Siemens. These are allegations and findings contained in historical records and must not be presented as a criminal conviction against Atiku (Homeland Security Committee 2010).
‘Third, there were questions concerning approximately US$14 million transferred by offshore corporations to American University in connection with consulting services relating to the establishment of the university in Nigeria.’
Eta also said, ‘The Senate report examined the source and movement of those funds and the relationship between the offshore entities and the university project founded by Atiku. (Homeland Security Committee 2010)
‘Fourth, there were allegations in Nigeria concerning the use of companies and bank accounts as so-called Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to divert or misappropriate public funds during the period Atiku served as Vice-President between 1999 and 2007.
‘These allegations became particularly prominent in 2023 following claims attributed to Michael Achimugu, described as a former aide to Atiku. A subsequent petition by Festus Keyamo asked the EFCC, ICPC and CCB to investigate the allegations (TheCable, 2023).
‘Fifth, the 2023 petition raised allegations bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, conspiracy and possible violations of the Code of Conduct applicable to public officers. These were allegations presented to law-enforcement authorities not findings of guilt by a court (Punch, 2023).
‘Sixth, questions were raised concerning Atiku’s alleged knowledge of certain accounts, including an account associated with Marine Float and accounts belonging to other companies, which were alleged to have been used as vehicles for the movement or diversion of public funds. The allegations formed part of the case brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in 2023.’
He explained that ‘These are not allegations that I am presenting as proven facts. They are matters that have appeared in official investigations, petitions, court filings and public records and which, in my view, deserve to be subjected to the full machinery of law.’