Monday 18 March 2013

US considers visa restrictions on govt officials - Dieprieye Alameiyeiseigha Pardon

The United States  might  slam  visa restrictions on some Nigerian government officials in protest against the state pardon granted a former Bayelsa State Governor Dieprieye Alameiyeiseigha, and an ex-Managing Director of  the defunct Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama.

A diplomatic source, who made this known to The Punch in Abuja, said the US was  miffed by  the Federal Government’s decision to summon its Deputy Head of Mission  for flaying  the reprieve granted the two men.

He said, “There are a lot of options open to Washington. For one, if this matter is not resolved,  they can issue visa restrictions on  government officials and then follow it up with other sanctions recognised within international law.”

The  source  said that  Nigeria currently stands at a disadvantage should the visa restrictions be  imposed.

He said,  “Your country stands at a  disadvantage because international opinion weighs heavily against  it  on this one(state pardon).

 “Financial crime, especially money laundering, is  closely linked to drug trade and drug trade is linked to terrorism; the whole world is affected by it.

“So, if any government is seen to be condoning  financial crimes  in any form, it stands the risk of international isolation.”

When contacted,  a Public Affairs Specialist at the  US Embassy in Abuja, SaniMohammed, said, “ I am not aware of anything like that (visa restrictions).”

A Presidency source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted  to speak to the media on the issue,  revealed that proper consultations were not held before the decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha and Shettima  was taken.

 The source said, “It is unfortunate that proper consultations were not held before the decision was taken.

“You cannot blame the US and other western countries who are likely to side with it(US) because, they provide funding for training and other logistics to assist Nigeria deal with corruption.

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