The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has dismissed a suit that aimed to force anti-graft agencies in Nigeria to arrest and prosecute Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the recent presidential election.
In a recent court ruling, Justice James Omotosho declared that the lawsuit brought before the court by the former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, lacked merit.
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According to Justice Omotosho, the plaintiff failed to provide a sufficient basis for legal action in the case, which prevented the court from ruling in their favour.
In a recent court ruling, it was determined that the lawsuit brought forth by Keyamo was premature. The court emphasised that Keyamo neglected to give the appropriate law enforcement agencies the opportunity to investigate the allegations made against Atiku before taking legal action.
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As a result, the suit was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.
In a prompt response, Keyamo has declared his intention to appeal the judgement through a statement issued by Mr. John Ainetor, the Assistant Head of his Chambers in Abuja.
In a recent statement, Keyamo expressed his disagreement with the court’s decision, asserting that the law enforcement agencies did not demonstrate their readiness to initiate investigations, even if they were granted additional time.
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The individual expressed a desire to establish a legal precedent that would prevent society from indefinitely waiting for law enforcement agencies to fulfil their statutory obligations.
The design of the suit was intended to elicit a display of preparedness from the agencies tasked with conducting investigations.
In a recent statement, it was announced that an appeal will be filed against the decision in question to the Court of Appeal. The struggle regarding this issue is set to continue.
In a recent development, it has been reported that Keyamo, in the Writ of Summons he filed before the court, asserted that the former Vice President, Atiku, is required to answer to allegations of colluding with others to embezzle public funds through the use of “Special Purpose Vehicles” (SPVs). This is a reminder of the previous claims made by Keyamo.
Following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to relevant anti-graft agencies to investigate an allegation, the plaintiff initiated a court action on January 20.
According to Keyamo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate should have been summoned and interrogated by the appropriate security agencies. This is due to the incriminating revelations and evidence that were made public by a whistleblower, Mr. Michael Achimugu.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been named as the 2nd to 4th Defendants in a lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/84/2022.
The former Director of Public Affairs of the Presidential Campaign Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Festus Keyamo, has taken legal action against Atiku Abubakar. Keyamo is seeking a court declaration that Atiku is obligated to provide information to aid an investigation into a bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float, as well as two undisclosed companies. Atiku allegedly disclosed information about the accounts to his close aide, Michael Achimugu, revealing that they were used to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007, when Atiku served as Vice President of Nigeria.
The plaintiff has requested a declaration that Atiku, the first defendant, is legally obligated to subject himself to a comprehensive investigation by the second, third, and fourth defendants. This investigation is in connection with information available to Atiku regarding a bank account belonging to a company called Marine Float, as well as two other undisclosed companies. Atiku allegedly disclosed this information to his close aide, Michael Achimugu, revealing how the accounts were used to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007, during Atiku’s tenure as Vice President of Nigeria.
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration from the Honourable Court that the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants are legally obligated to take action against the 1st Defendant. The action requested includes inviting and/or arresting the 1st Defendant, investigating the allegations made against him, and prosecuting him if found guilty. The allegations relate to the 1st Defendant’s knowledge of certain bank accounts belonging to Marine Float and two undisclosed companies. The plaintiff claims that the 1st Defendant disclosed information about how these accounts were used to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007, during his tenure as Vice President of Nigeria. The information was allegedly disclosed to the 1st Defendant’s close aide, Michael Achimugu.
The Honourable Court has issued a mandatory order for the 1st Defendant to provide information to aid the investigation of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants. The information pertains to a bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float, as well as accounts of two undisclosed companies. The 1st Defendant allegedly disclosed this information to his close aide, Michael Achimugu, regarding how the accounts were used to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds during his tenure as Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.
The Honourable Court has issued a mandatory order for the 1st Defendant to submit himself to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants for a thorough investigation. The investigation is in connection with information available to him regarding a bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float, as well as accounts of two undisclosed companies. The 1st Defendant allegedly disclosed this information to his close aide, Michael Achimugu, regarding how the said accounts were used to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds between 1999 and 2007 when the 1st Defendant served as Vice President of Nigeria.
The plaintiff is seeking a mandatory order from the court to compel the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants to invite, arrest, investigate, and potentially prosecute the 1st defendant. The allegations against the 1st defendant involve information regarding a bank account belonging to a company named Marine Float, as well as accounts of two undisclosed companies. The plaintiff claims that the 1st defendant disclosed this information to a close aide named Michael Achimugu, and that the accounts were used as “Special Purpose Vehicles” to secretly divert and misappropriate public funds during the 1st defendant’s tenure as Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.
On Monday, all the prayers were dismissed by the court.
