Atiku finally granted US visa, jets out of Nigeria

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has finally secured a visa to the United States.

The Cable reports that a family source says Atiku has left Nigeria for the United Kingdom, from where he will head to the US.

This comes following a controversy surrounding his inability to go to the United States on the basis of corruption allegation, that has trailed his identity since he was Vice President 15 years ago.

Atiku had been unable to visit the US for 13 years based on suspicions that he may be arrested by authorities following a FBI investigation of a bribery involving him and former US congressman, William Jefferson in 2004.

His row with the US authorities began after the FBI investigated a bribery scandal involving William Jefferson, former US congressman, in 2004.

According to The Cable, “Atiku was accused of demanding a bribe of $500,000 to facilitate the award of contracts to two American telecommunication firms in Nigeria.

The investigators had videotaped Jefferson, who was the congressman representing Louisiana, receiving $100,000 worth of $100 bills which he claimed was meant for Atiku, but the former vice-president has consistently denied the allegation”

In an interview with Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, Atiku further denied the allegations claiming, “It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America. I applied but wasn’t issued a visa.”