A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa J. Agbonayinma, has taken legal steps against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reopen and prosecute an alleged financial crimes case involving the former Vice President.
Agbonayinma, through his solicitors, is asking the anti-graft agency to revisit its investigation into Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The demand is contained in a letter addressed to the EFCC and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, on behalf of Agbonayinma. 
The lawyers gave the commission 14 days to act or face further legal action.
In the letter, the solicitors recalled that the EFCC investigated allegations of corruption involving Atiku between 2005 and 2006, when he was Vice President.
They said the investigation culminated in a report titled, “The EFCC Report on Vice-President Abubakar Atiku (Full Report),” dated September 2006.
According to the lawyers, the report contained allegations of corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes involving the former Vice President.
They further claimed that the EFCC had indicated that Atiku would be prosecuted after leaving office, but that no such prosecution had taken place.
The solicitors described the alleged failure to act as a “deliberate dereliction of duty” and urged the commission to revive the matter.
They also cited an alleged investigation by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
According to the lawyers, the US Senate investigation produced a report dated February 4, 2010, which they claimed contained allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes involving Atiku.
Agbonayinma’s lawyers are therefore demanding that both the 2006 EFCC report and the 2010 US Senate report be reactivated and considered as the basis for fresh prosecution.
They argued that reopening the case would send a strong message that no Nigerian, regardless of political status or influence, is above the law.
The lawyers also praised the current leadership of the EFCC, saying it has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption by revisiting the allegations against the former Vice President.
The letter stated that their client believes prosecution of the case could become a major milestone in the commission’s anti-corruption campaign.
“TAKE NOTICE that if, after 14 days of this letter, your Commission, the EFCC, refuses or neglects to act, our further instruction is to take legal action against your Commission,” the lawyers warned.
The latest development comes as Atiku prepares for the 2027 presidential contest under the ADC, adding a fresh legal and political dimension to the longstanding allegations surrounding his time in government.
However, the allegations contained in the letter are claims by Agbonayinma and his legal representatives and have not, by themselves, established criminal liability against Atiku. Any prosecution would be subject to investigation, due process and determination by a competent court.
