On January 20, 2023, Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to force the arrest and prosecution of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The suit, initiated after the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum issued by Keyamo, escalates the already tense atmosphere surrounding Nigeria’s upcoming presidential election on February 25, 2023. Keyamo, who also serves as the Director of Public Affairs for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, is targeting Abubakar over allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as vice-president from 1999 to 2007.
Allegations of Misappropriated Funds
The lawsuit centers on claims that Atiku Abubakar possesses information about a bank account linked to a company named Marine Float and two other undisclosed companies, which were allegedly used as “Special Purpose Vehicles” to divert and misappropriate public funds during his vice-presidency. Keyamo alleges that Abubakar disclosed details of these accounts to a close aide, Michael Achimugu, who has since been described as a whistleblower. The suit names the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as defendants, urging them to act on this information.
Keyamo’s Demands in Court
Keyamo’s legal filing seeks several declarations and mandatory orders from the court. He is requesting a ruling that Abubakar is legally obligated to provide information about the alleged accounts to the CCB, ICPC, and EFCC to aid their investigations. Additionally, he seeks a court order compelling Abubakar to submit himself for a thorough probe into the alleged financial irregularities. The suit also demands that the named agencies be mandated to invite, arrest, investigate, and, if necessary, prosecute Abubakar based on the information he reportedly shared with Achimugu. These requests underscore Keyamo’s push for accountability, framed as a response to what he describes as serious allegations of corruption.
Context of the Political Clash
The lawsuit follows a letter Keyamo sent to Abubakar on January 16, 2023, demanding his arrest, interrogation, and prosecution based on Achimugu’s revelations. As a prominent figure in the APC’s campaign for its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, Keyamo’s actions align with the party’s strategy to challenge Abubakar’s candidacy. The PDP and APC have engaged in a fierce exchange of accusations in the lead-up to the election, with both parties questioning each other’s integrity and fitness for office. This legal move intensifies the rivalry, raising questions about the role of such allegations in shaping public opinion.
Implications for Nigeria’s Election
With Nigeria’s presidential race heating up, Keyamo’s lawsuit adds a new dimension to the contest, which is already marked by intense rhetoric and mutual accusations of corruption. The election, set to determine President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor, is expected to be closely fought, with Abubakar facing off against Tinubu and other candidates like Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The focus on legal challenges and past allegations risks overshadowing critical discussions about Nigeria’s pressing issues, including economic hardship, insecurity, and poverty. As the court considers Keyamo’s suit, its outcome could influence the political landscape ahead of the polls.
