Today in history: On July 18, 2007, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was accused of corruption by a top Nigerian lawyer

 

On July 18, 2007, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was accused of corruption by a top Nigerian lawyer, he asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate his financial activities while in office.

On July 18, 2007, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was publicly accused of corruption by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, one of Nigeria’s most respected human rights lawyers and activists. Fawehinmi, known for his relentless pursuit of justice and transparency, filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding a full investigation into Obasanjo's financial dealings while he was in office.

 At the heart of the allegations were claims that Obasanjo had abused his office by amassing personal wealth through questionable means, particularly in connection with his involvement in companies such as Transcorp and Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited.

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The accusations were significant because they came shortly after Obasanjo had stepped down from power in May 2007, ending an eight-year tenure marked by both economic reforms and heavy criticism. While Obasanjo had presented himself as a reformer who strengthened anti-corruption institutions like the EFCC, Fawehinmi argued that he had used those same institutions selectively to target political enemies while shielding allies and himself from scrutiny. 

The lawyer's call for investigation was rooted in a broader concern that Nigeria’s fight against corruption could not be credible unless it applied to everyone  including former presidents.

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Despite the public outcry and Fawehinmi’s high-profile petition, the EFCC’s response was cautious and slow, reflecting the political sensitivity of the issue. Many Nigerians were skeptical about whether the commission would carry out an impartial probe, given Obasanjo’s lingering influence in the political sphere and within the anti-corruption agency itself. 

Although no formal charges were brought against Obasanjo, the event reignited national debate about transparency, the credibility of anti-corruption efforts, and the need to hold even the most powerful figures accountable in Nigeria’s democracy