A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ntufam Hillard Eta, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to open an investigation into alleged financial crimes against former Vice-President and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
- ‘Mere political with-hunt’
The former national vice chairman (South South) of the APC made the call on Tuesday at a media briefing in Abuja.
Eta, who dropped the hint that he would officially file his petition at the EFCC Headquarters on Wednesday, is asking the Commission to look at the report of the United States Senate Report in 2010, which allegedly revealed suspicious financial transactions associated with individuals connected to the ADC presidential candidate.
As alleged by the former member of the APC National Working Committee, startling revelations contained in the US Senate Report included US$40 million in suspect funds into the United States between 2000 and 2008 through offshore corporations and accounts allegedly associated with Jennifer Douglas, Atiku Abubakar’s wife; allegations involving payments connected to Siemens AG and US$14 million transferred by offshore corporations to American University located in Yola, Adamawa State and owned by Atiku Abubakar.
He 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. 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).
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“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.”
The APC chieftain, who cautioned against political persecution, tasked the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation in order to avoid accusations that it was being used by the ruling party to witch-hunt a candidate of a rival party on the eve of a general election.”
‘Mere political with-hunt’
Reacting to the call for his investigation, the ADC presidential candidate, who spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed the call for his investigation as mere political witch-hunt.
He said: “When an incumbent government begins to feel politically threatened, the institutions of state suddenly become intensely interested in its opponents.
“The latest episode is the move to bring former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, under the scrutiny of the EFCC.”
Atiku recalled that the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, in which he was incidentally Vice-President, investigated him but was left with no evidence to pursue his prosecution.
“Nearly two decades later, different administrations controlled the machinery of the Nigerian state. Yet no successive administration found it necessary to prosecute Atiku Abubakar for corruption. Until now,” he said.
“Now, as Nigeria moves toward another presidential election, Atiku has emerged as the principal opposition challenger to President Bola Tinubu. And suddenly, an old allegation acquires new urgency.”
“If Atiku Abubakar has committed a crime, investigate him. If there is credible evidence, charge him. If the evidence withstands judicial scrutiny and the courts find him guilty, let the law take its course.
“But if the objective is to intimidate, embarrass, distract, or politically weaken an opposition candidate on the eve of a major election, then Nigerians have every right to question the motive.”