US Probes Atiku Over Wire Fraud, Money Laundering

The United States Department of Justice may have opened investigations into allegations of wire fraud and money laundering against Nigeria's former Vice-President Atiku Abukakar; one of his wives, Jennifer; his American lawyer, Mr. Edward Weidenfield; and an old business, Gabriele Volpi, to determine whether they contravened US government laws, according to a report by a website, TheWill.

The online medium said it learnt from a source, who opted to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, that the justice department would seek to question the presidential aspirant, his wife and associates. However, the medium did not give details of the alleged fresh probe.

It stated that when it tried to obtain a formal statement on the issue from the justice department, a spokesperson promised "to get back to us as soon as possible." TheWill stated that about 10 hours later, a spokesperson, Laura E. Sweeney, got in touch with it but declined to comment on the matter.

It said that in response to all its questions, Sweeney responded by saying, "We decline comment."

The report also contained details of the alleged indictment of the former vice-president and his wife by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in its Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.

TheWill said the committee, which is headed by Senator Carl Levin, had in a report released on February 4, 2010 alleged that Abubakar's wife laundered about $40m between 2000 and 2008.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the former vice-president, Mallam Garba Shehu, said there was 'nothing new' in the report. He said it was a 2009 report that was brought up by some individuals to 'score a cheap political goal,' adding that the issues raised 'had been addressed.

Source: Punch Newspaper