Former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma has threatened legal action against political lobbyist Karl Von Batten, also known as Ikemefuna Okeke, over an X post he said misrepresented his photograph and motives in connection with a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Agbonayinma, a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and a dual Nigerian-American citizen, objected to a publication linking his 14-day ultimatum to the anti-graft agency with President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the former lawmaker denied acting on behalf of Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress or any political interest. He maintained that his petition was a personal initiative aimed at promoting accountability and the rule of law.
Agbonayinma said the publication created what he considered a false impression about his identity and the reasons behind his demand for the reopening of corruption allegations and reports involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“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.
He insisted that his action was not connected to the President or any political party and argued that allegations involving public office holders should be examined on their merits rather than interpreted through partisan affiliations.
“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.
The former lawmaker also referred to investigations he said had been conducted and concluded by the United States Senate and the Department of Homeland Security. He argued that the EFCC should determine the appropriate next steps concerning the issues raised in his petition.
However, the statement did not provide further details of the investigations or establish what conclusions were reached. The allegations against Atiku Abubakar remain matters that would require assessment by the relevant authorities.
Agbonayinma said his demand should not be interpreted as support for or opposition to any political party, including the APC, Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress or Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“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.
He warned that the use of his photograph in what he described as a misleading political narrative would not be treated lightly and said he was prepared to pursue legal remedies against those responsible.
The threatened action places the dispute over the publication and its alleged political implications at the centre of a developing disagreement. Any legal proceedings would be expected to determine the claims surrounding the use of the photograph and the alleged misrepresentation.
