The
United states of America and Nigeria on Friday exchanged very hot words over
the pardon of former Bayelsa state governor, Diepreye Alamieyesigha by the
federal government.
United states of America and Nigeria on Friday exchanged very hot words over
the pardon of former Bayelsa state governor, Diepreye Alamieyesigha by the
federal government.
The US
had said it was deeply disappointed over the pardon describing it as a setback
in the fight against corruption.
had said it was deeply disappointed over the pardon describing it as a setback
in the fight against corruption.
But the
Federal Government, reacted summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US
Embassy, James McAnulty over the statement credited to the spokeswoman of the
Embassy, Deb MacLean on the Embassy’s Twitter account stating that US
government was deeply disappointed over the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha.
Federal Government, reacted summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US
Embassy, James McAnulty over the statement credited to the spokeswoman of the
Embassy, Deb MacLean on the Embassy’s Twitter account stating that US
government was deeply disappointed over the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha.
During
the summon, the government protested what it described as an act of meddling in
the internal matters of the country by the United States and expressed
the hope that the embassy would henceforth desist from making unwarranted
comments on Nigeria’s internal affairs which it noted were capable of
undermining the friendly relations that existed between both countries.
the summon, the government protested what it described as an act of meddling in
the internal matters of the country by the United States and expressed
the hope that the embassy would henceforth desist from making unwarranted
comments on Nigeria’s internal affairs which it noted were capable of
undermining the friendly relations that existed between both countries.
In a
protest conveyed via a diplomatic note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
strongly condemned the comment and described it as undue interference and
meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of Nigeria.
protest conveyed via a diplomatic note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
strongly condemned the comment and described it as undue interference and
meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of Nigeria.
A
ministry source which was privy to the summon told Saturday Tribune that the
Federal Government pointed out that this was not the first time it or any
government elsewhere would grant state pardon to individuals who had committed
one crime or the other.
ministry source which was privy to the summon told Saturday Tribune that the
Federal Government pointed out that this was not the first time it or any
government elsewhere would grant state pardon to individuals who had committed
one crime or the other.
“The
Ministry further stressed that the pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha was
entirely consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” the
source said.
Ministry further stressed that the pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha was
entirely consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” the
source said.
Reacting
to the pardon through its tweeter handle, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had said
it was “deeply disappointed over the recent pardon granted corrupt officials by
the government of Nigeria.”
to the pardon through its tweeter handle, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had said
it was “deeply disappointed over the recent pardon granted corrupt officials by
the government of Nigeria.”
“We see
this as a setback in the fight against corruption,” it said on its tweeter
handle @USEmbassy.
this as a setback in the fight against corruption,” it said on its tweeter
handle @USEmbassy.
Also,
anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International, condemned the
exercise and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the pardon.
anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International, condemned the
exercise and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the pardon.
“Transparency
International, the global anti-corruption organisation, calls on President
Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the pardon granted to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the
former governor of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa, who was convicted for money
laundering and other serious corruption offences in 2007.
International, the global anti-corruption organisation, calls on President
Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the pardon granted to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the
former governor of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa, who was convicted for money
laundering and other serious corruption offences in 2007.
“This
decision undermines anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and encourages impunity.
If the government is serious about uprooting public corruption, sanctions
against those who betray the public trust should be strengthened, not relaxed,”
said Akere Muna, the Vice-chair of Transparency International.
decision undermines anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and encourages impunity.
If the government is serious about uprooting public corruption, sanctions
against those who betray the public trust should be strengthened, not relaxed,”
said Akere Muna, the Vice-chair of Transparency International.
TI said
further: “President Jonathan should show that he is committed to fighting
corruption and endorse the efforts of law enforcement agencies to end impunity
for corrupt officials.
further: “President Jonathan should show that he is committed to fighting
corruption and endorse the efforts of law enforcement agencies to end impunity
for corrupt officials.
“Nigeria
was ranked 139 out of 174 countries in the 2012 Corruption Perception Index.
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has prosecuted and convicted
a number of high-profile corrupt individuals since its inception in 2003, but
most of them have escaped effective sanctions.”
was ranked 139 out of 174 countries in the 2012 Corruption Perception Index.
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has prosecuted and convicted
a number of high-profile corrupt individuals since its inception in 2003, but
most of them have escaped effective sanctions.”
Alamieyeseigha
served as governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 through 2005. He was arrested in
London after more than $1 million in cash was found in his home there.
served as governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 through 2005. He was arrested in
London after more than $1 million in cash was found in his home there.
The
former governor escaped British authorities, allegedly disguised as a woman,
and fled to Nigeria, where he enjoyed immunity from prosecution as a sitting
governor. He was then later impeached and charged with illegally operating
foreign accounts in London, Cyprus, Denmark and the United States.
former governor escaped British authorities, allegedly disguised as a woman,
and fled to Nigeria, where he enjoyed immunity from prosecution as a sitting
governor. He was then later impeached and charged with illegally operating
foreign accounts in London, Cyprus, Denmark and the United States.
Investigators
said that Alamieyeseigha acquired property in Britain and Nigeria worth more
than $10 million. He later pleaded guilty.
said that Alamieyeseigha acquired property in Britain and Nigeria worth more
than $10 million. He later pleaded guilty.
Source: Tribune
