Posted by By Jamie Dominics, The Sun Reporter, Washington DC on
The presidency has broadened its scrutiny of the financial records of Vice President Atiku Abubakar to include all international banking transactions.....
The presidency has broadened its scrutiny of the financial records of Vice President Atiku Abubakar to include all international banking transactions since he assumed office. In this regard, government has formally requested international help to accomplish what officials are describing as a comprehensive investigations of all potential office holders which would focus on the United States, European Union (EU) countries, the Middle East and Asia.
Daily Sun learnt that the new move is in fulfillment of an earlier pledge made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, to expose any one seeking office who has a questionable record. Already, sources said the government is close to making public the contents of some banking records of the vice president seized during a raid in Lagos.
Officials of the American Homeland Security Department confirmed receiving a request from the EFCC, but said it was not unusual to extend assistance to the Nigerian anti-corruption agency. "We have an understanding with Nigerian officials to assist them do their job and investigations of potential office holders is routine even here in the U.S," an official stated.
An EFCC official, who is in Washington for a briefing on the latest of the FBI investigation of a lawmaker for alleged corruption, which led to a search on Atiku's Potomac residence, also denied that the commission was involved in a vendetta against the vice president.
"This is just a routine investigation of all those who have and will declare their intention to lead the country next year," he said, adding that a fresh investigation of office holders was necessary in order to have a break from the past.
"Government is determined that only very clean people will run for elective positions to ensure we do not return to the past when people with questionable sources of wealth influenced the system and won elections. We are not targeting anyone specifically and should not be seen as such," the official stated.