Festus Keyamo, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has taken the EFCC, the CCB and the ICPC court to compel the anti-graft agencies to arrest Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, over allegations of corruption.
Michael Achimugu, a whistleblower, had alleged that Atiku, PDP presidential candidate, told him that bogus companies he termed “special purpose vehicles (SPV)” were used to siphon public funds while he was vice-president.
Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007 under Olusegun Obasanjo.
The revelation has rippled, generating much talk on social media.
Keyamo in documents seen by TheLink News, is asking the court to compel the anti-graft agencies to investigate the matter.
He is also asking the court to compel the agencies to prosecute Atiku.
Below is an abridged part of the document.
“You are hereby commanded that within thirty (30) days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of the Plaintiff.
AND TAKE NOTICE that in default of your so doing, the Plaintiff may proceed herein and judgment may be entered in your absence.
Dated this …………. day of …………………….. 2023.
……………………….
REGISTRAR
“Memorandum to be subscribed on the Writ:
N.B: This writ is to be served within twelve (12) calendar Months from date thereof, or if renewed, within six (6) calendar months from the date of the last renewal, including the day of such date and not afterwards.
“The Defendants may enter appearance personally or by a legal practitioner either by handing in the appropriate forms, duly completed at the Registry of the High Court of the Judicial Division in which the action is brought or by sending them to the Registrar by registered post.
“WHEREOF the PLAINTIFF claims against the DEFENDANTS as follows:
“1. A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the 1st Defendant is under a legal obligation to make available to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants, for the purpose of aiding their investigation, information available to him in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as a “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“2. A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the 1st Defendant is under a legal obligation to submit himself to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants for thorough investigation in connection with information available to him in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as a “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“3. A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants are under a legal obligation to invite and/or arrest, investigate and (if found wanting) prosecute the 1st Defendant in respect of information available to the 1st Defendant in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“4. A MANDATORY ORDER of this Honourable Court compelling the 1st Defendant to make available to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants, for the purpose of aiding their investigation, information available to him in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as a “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“5. A MANDATORY ORDER of this Honourable Court compelling the 1st Defendant to submit himself to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants for thorough investigation in connection with information available to him in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as a “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“6. A MANDATORY ORDER of this Honourable Court compelling the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants to invite and/or arrest, investigate and (if found wanting) prosecute the 1st Defendant in respect of information available to the 1st Defendant in respect of a certain bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float and other accounts of two undisclosed companies, which information he disclosed to a certain close aide of his called Michael Achimugu, as to how the said accounts were used as “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
“7. SUCH FURTHER ORDER OR OTHER ORDERS that this Honourable Court may make in the circumstance of this case.”
