Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has categorically denied persecuting his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, who is under investigation on charges of alleged corruption.
”Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has alleged political persecution and all sorts of things. That is far-fetched by all standards,” the Presidency said in Obasanjo’s first official statement on the issue late on Tuesday.
Abubakar is under investigation for allegedly receiving a bribe from United States congressman William Jefferson to help the US politician win a telecoms contract in Nigeria.
The vice-president is also accused of influencing the placement of government petroleum funds in commercial banks in which he is alleged to have interests.
Abubakar is planning to run for the April 21 2007 presidential elections to succeed Obasanjo, who will be stepping down after two terms in office, but his bid could be thwarted by the corruption allegations.
Obasanjo on Tuesday released evidence from the investigation to the press, including cheques and letters received from Jefferson.
The president, who has publicly accused Abubakar of disloyalty and vowed not to hand over power to him, last week sent the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) report on his deputy’s alleged graft to the Senate for consideration.
The report has whipped up controversy, with heated exchanges between Obasanjo and his deputy amid intense media interest.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has filed papers at a federal high court seeking an injunction against the EFCC report, and seeking to quash the indictment.
No date has yet been set for the hearing. — Sapa-AFP