FBI searches US home of Nigerian vice president

WASHINGTON – US federal agents have searched the US home of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar as part of an international anti-corruption probe, officials disclosed late on Saturday.

State Department spokeswoman Joanne Moore said the search of the house located in an upscale Maryland suburb of the US capital took place on August 3, but declined to provide details. “All inquiries about the search of the United States residence of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be directed to the Department of Justice,” Moore told AFP.She added that the State Department as a rule did not comment “on ongoing federal law enforcement investigations.”Justice Department officials declined any comment.But a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the search was part of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe of a proposed telecommunications deal that allegedly involves Nigeria as well as US Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana.The Times-Picayune newspaper reported earlier on Saturday that the search of Abubakar’s Potomac home took place in parallel with searches at Jefferson’s homes in Washington and New Orleans.According to the report, federal agents were looking for evidence of illegal payments made or arranged by the Louisiana Democrat for Abubakar, other Nigerian government officials as well as Ghanaian Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.- Nampa-AFP”All inquiries about the search of the United States residence of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be directed to the Department of Justice,” Moore told AFP.She added that the State Department as a rule did not comment “on ongoing federal law enforcement investigations.”Justice Department officials declined any comment.But a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the search was part of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe of a proposed telecommunications deal that allegedly involves Nigeria as well as US Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana.The Times-Picayune newspaper reported earlier on Saturday that the search of Abubakar’s Potomac home took place in parallel with searches at Jefferson’s homes in Washington and New Orleans.According to the report, federal agents were looking for evidence of illegal payments made or arranged by the Louisiana Democrat for Abubakar, other Nigerian government officials as well as Ghanaian Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.- Nampa-AFP