The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) have called on the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labor, requesting an investigation and prosecution of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The lawsuit was filed after an audio tape was made public by Michael Achimugu, a former staffer of Atiku, in which Atiku allegedly revealed how some organizations were created to siphon off state monies.
During a resumed hearing of the case, the anti-graft authorities’ attorneys criticized the lawsuit’s competency and argued that Keyamo had not followed the proper procedures when filing the suit. Atiku’s attorney, Benson Igbanoi, also criticized the lawsuit’s legality, claiming that Keyamo had abused his position. Keyamo’s attorney, on the other hand, requested that the court reject the defendants’ objections so that the case could be heard on its merits.
Justice James Omotosho deferred the case to June 5 for a decision on the initial objections after hearing arguments from all parties.