U.S Speaks On Atiku’s Alleged Criminal Record

[caption id="attachment_13804" align="alignnone" width="699"]© Associated PressAlh. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria[/caption]

Sequel to an allegation by Governor Nasir El-Rufai that former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has a pending lawsuit in the United States, the U.S Department of Justice has responded in the negative.

It would be recalled that Atiku had granted an exclusive interview to PREMIUM TIMES, where he alleged that he was betrayed by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

THE WHISTLER further recalls that, in response to Atiku’s interview, El-Rufai had denied the allegation of betrayal, after which he accused Atiku of being a corrupt leader, adding that Atiku would dare not visit the United States due to his criminal record.

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According to El-Rufai, “Alhaji Atiku is entitled to rehabilitation. But that often requires coming clean with the people. Can Alhaji Atiku explain the findings in the report of the United States Senate Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations which detailed a pattern of wire transfers of more than USD 40m from offshore companies like Siemens into bank accounts controlled by him and one of his wives?

“The report detailing the US Senate findings is online, as one of four case histories of foreign corruption in the USA. Alhaji Atiku should tell a better tale of why he is avoiding the United States of America.

“Someone as obsessed with Nigeria’s presidency as he is, should clear up such matters conclusively. We wait to see how well he does with that,” said El-Rufai

A spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice, Peter Carr, however denied El-Rufai’s allegations, stating that the U.S has no criminal record against the ex-Vice President.

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“I have checked the public court records, and they do not show cases filed against a defendant named Atiku Abubakar.” Carr told PUNCH.

“Visa issues are confidential under section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If your question is specifically about entry – not about visas per se – I would refer you to the US Customs and Border Protection,” he added.

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