Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, has threatened legal action against Karl Von Batten, also known as Ikemefuna Okeke, over an X post allegedly linking his petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with President Bola Tinubu.
Agbonayinma, a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and a Nigerian-American, rejected suggestions that he was acting on behalf of Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his demand for the reopening of corruption allegations involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was a personal initiative.
In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the former lawmaker accused Von Batten of creating a misleading impression about his identity, motives and involvement in the matter through the use of his photograph.
He warned that he would consider legal remedies over what he described as a misrepresentation of his position.
Agbonayinma confirmed that he had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the EFCC, urging the anti-graft agency to reopen corruption allegations and reports involving Atiku.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I did issue a 14-day ultimatum to the EFCC, calling on the Commission to reopen the corruption allegations and reports involving Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I stand by my call for accountability and the rule of law,” he said.
The former lawmaker, however, insisted that his action had nothing to do with Tinubu, the APC or any political party.
“My action was entirely personal, undertaken in my capacity as a Nigerian citizen who believes that allegations of financial impropriety involving public office holders deserve proper investigation,” he stated.
Insists on EFCC investigation
Agbonayinma argued that the allegations against Atiku should be subjected to proper scrutiny by the relevant authorities, regardless of political affiliations.
He claimed that investigations by the United States Senate and the Department of Homeland Security had been concluded, arguing that the EFCC should take appropriate action.
“Both the US Senate, Homeland Security have conducted and concluded investigations. It is only left for the EFCC to do the right thing by prosecuting him,” he said.
The former lawmaker did not provide further details in the statement about the investigations he referenced.
He maintained that the matter should not be reduced to a political dispute, stressing that accountability and transparency should guide the handling of allegations involving public office holders.
“My call for the reopening of Atiku Abubakar’s corruption reports is not about Tinubu, APC, PDP, ADC, NDC or any political party. It is about accountability, transparency and the principle that no individual should be above the law,” he added.
Agbonayinma urged the EFCC to examine the merits of his petition and determine whether there were grounds for further investigation.
He also challenged Atiku’s legal team to address the substance of the petition rather than attribute political motives to his intervention.
The former lawmaker warned that using his photograph to promote what he considered a misleading narrative would not be treated lightly, adding that he was prepared to pursue legal action against those responsible.
Reaffirming his position, Agbonayinma said his intervention was motivated by the need to promote accountability without fear or favour.
“I acted as a Nigerian, not as Tinubu’s representative. Let the record be clear,” he declared.
