Atiku claims he and Obasanjo recovered stolen funds by letting thieves keep 5%

Atiku Abubakar told journalists on Wednesday that he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo recovered stolen public funds by inviting alleged thieves to return money while allowing them to keep 5%, speaking as ADC presidential candidate. He said they adopted this approach upon taking office in 1999 after inheriting Sani Abacha's government, with Obasanjo initially angry but persuaded to follow this method. Atiku stated he chaired the recovery committee with Aliyu Gusau as member, and that this effort preceded the establishment of the EFCC to fight corruption.

This claim matters as Atiku positions himself as a corruption fighter amid political campaigning, directly contrasting with his previous remarks questioning Obasanjo's electoral value. The described method—offering amnesty by letting perpetrators retain 5% of stolen funds—represents a controversial approach that differs from modern prosecutorial anti-corruption efforts. Readers should note this is Atiku's account of historical events; the report does not specify recovered amounts, name specific individuals involved, or provide independent verification of these transactions. His revelation comes amid ADC campaigning and follows recent shifts in his relationship with Obasanjo.

Will you view this amnesty-style recovery as pragmatic governance or problematic impunity, especially given Atiku's current presidential ambitions and his evolving stance on Obasanjo's political relevance?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/20/how-obasanjo-i-recovered-stolen-money-for-nigeria-atiku/