Nigerian VP: No Bribes for MeNigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose Maryland home was searched as part of the FBI’s investigation of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) last August, has finally spoken.
He’s innocent, he says. And his lawyer told The New York Times that âthere is nothing linking the vice president with Congressman Jefferson except Mr. Jeffersonâs own false, self-serving statements.â
By that, I assume the lawyer is referring to the many statements Jefferson made to the FBI’s informant about getting Abubakar’s help with a Nigerian business deal. Jefferson and Lori Mody, a businesswoman who wore a wire during their many conversations, discussed paying Abubakar $500,000 up front and much more after the deal went through. The $90,000 found in Jefferson’s freezer was part of a bribe intended for Abubakar, according to FBI transcripts. It remains a mystery whether Jefferson decided to simply keep the bribe for himself.
Read my earlier post on Abubakar for the complete rundown.
