A Name and Its Trailing Confusions Threaten Buhari’s War on Corruption

Oladimeji Abitogun and Mobolaji Ajibuwa, sharpedgenews, Kansas City

A familiar dramatic twist has evolved in the allegation of moral hypocrisy and political persecution thrown at the administration

of President Muhammadu Buhari on the prosecution of the war against corruption by the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Doubts are being expressed in enlightening circles, most especially amongst Nigerian political elites that the Presidency may be trying to swap the persons and names involved in the original investigations that led to the indictment of one Mrs. Aisha M. Buhari, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Otunba Oyewole Fashawe and others in the Halliburton scandal that led to the trial and conviction of American congressman Jefferson. The investigations were carried out by United States investigators between 2001 and 2006 over violations of Federal regulations and payment of several millions of dollars as bribe  to Nigerian officials in a deal that was meant to broker technology transfer in area of communications and oil prospecting.

Specifically, critics and cynics, who want to be accorded anonymous status told Sharpedgenews.com that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Aisha M. Buhari indicted in the Halliburton scandal may be different from the one whose photograph is being circulated by the presidency. The disconnect in identity of the new individual presented as the persona of the scandal goes by the name Aisha Muhammadu Buhari. It is doubtful if any woman goes by the middle name, Muhammadu.

The argument of the opposition in Nigeria is that the arrests and prosecution arising from corruption charges seen to be assuming persecution mould. Apart from Mr. Fayose, the former Minister of State for Defence and later Foreign Affairs, Musiliu Obanikoro is principally based on the fact that the passport of the second, believed to be the one who bears no direct relevance to the original investigations, carries a 2012 date. The matter that was central to the affair was investigated from 2001 to 2006. So it is believed that the Aisha in a 2012 passport could not have had anything to do with the case.

Obanikoro maintained the same posture in an interview published last week by an online newspaper, Premium Times.

While the government has leaked the information that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ordered that lien be put on Fayose’s account with Zenith Bank for purportedly benefiting from National Security Adviser’s slush fund to the tune of #1.2billion in order to contest and win the governorship election in Ekiti state, Mr. Fayose had said that such money similarly funded the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the party, hitherto in opposition coasted into victory in the 2015 general election. Fayose accused the Buhari administration of executive rascality by the singular action aimed at derobing him of immunity while in office, while same is accorded President Muhammadu Buhari without challenge.

Observers believe that the confusion trailing the personality that was investigated alongside Jefferson and others have been witnessed in identity saga of Evans Ewerem and James Ibori.

Some of the antics the style deployed by Presidency officials, especially the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Public Affairs, Shehu Garba minimizes and prevents genuine investigations by the media and critics of the administration.

If not handled with caution, the present allegation hanging on the neck of the administration on fears of selective justice may utterly blister its credibility on the fight against corruption.

Our media partner, Pointblanknews got a detailed follow up on the macabre identity controversy of the Aisha Buhari link even as the mystery of who this character lingers and the world waits to know the individual behind the mask.

The United States is insisting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has all it needs to prosecute all those implicated in the Halliburton scandal including Mrs. Aisha M. Buhari who allegedly wired $170,000.00 in bribe to disgraced Congressman Williams J. Jefferson in 2002.

A 16-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., charged Jefferson with solicitation of bribes from Nigeria and other places, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, racketeering, and conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that from in or about August 2000 through in or about August 2005, Jefferson, while serving as an elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives, used his position and his office to corruptly seek, solicit and direct that things of value be paid to Jefferson and his family members in exchange for his performance of official acts to advance the interests of people and businesses who offered him the bribes.

The U.S Justice Department had at the time requested the EFCC through a letter with Ref: MEW:DPW:KDL:AV 1 File 182.23818 dated June 22, 2006 to investigate Mrs. Aisha M. Buhari and several others linked with bribing Congressman Jefferson.

Mrs. Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, Dumebi Kachikwu, Otunba Fashawe, Aliyu Maigari and others were named in a long chain of Nigerian and American bribe takers that spirited about $45 million—for a technology transfer deal—to the US between 1996 and 2002. 

Atiku, chairing of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, then, was, alongside US Congressman Williams J. Jefferson, Siemens, Halliburton, and others, indicted in a U.S. Senate report sent to the EFCC for investigation in 2006. 

Peter Carr, Spokesman of the DOJ confirmed the Sentencing memo of Jefferson which indicted Aisha M. Buhari, Abubakar Atiku and others but declined to speak further on the issue in an email to Pointblanknews.com.

“Thank you for reaching out to us. We’ll decline to comment beyond what is referenced in the sentencing memorandum,” Carr said in an email to Pointblanknews.com.

 

A source in DOJ told pointblanknews.com that because Jefferson is currently appealing some of his convictions, DOJ may not want to comment further on the matter.

 

The Sentencing Memorandum obtained by Pointblanknews.com from the U.S District Court Eastern District of Virginia listed as exhibit, a wire transfer to Congressman Jefferson from an account owned by Aisha M. Buhari.

“…See also Government Exhibits 36-87 (6/26/02 $170,000 wire

transfer from account in Nigeria in the name of Aisha Buhari to an account in the name of The ANJ Group, LLC, identifying “William Jefferson” as Beneficiary), Government Exhibits 36-90

and 36-91 (11/28/03 $50,000 wire transfer from account in British Virgin Islands in the name of Dawson Creek Traders to an account in the name of Jefferson Interests, Inc.),” the 37page sentencing memo said on its page 22.

Curiously, since President Mohammadu Buhari was elected President, the first lady has never followed him to his numerous U.S trips. At the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, she rather sent the wife of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to represent her at the First Lady’s Conference of UNGA.

Sources told pointblanknews.com that even though Jefferson is currently serving Jail time, those linked to his crime are still being sort after for questioning.

The source confirmed that while Mr. Kachikwu offered to testify against Jefferson, Mrs. Buhari was nowhere to be found during the FBI probe of the matter, reason why she has stayed away from the U.S.

 The U.S Senate report, FBI reports and U.S Court papers on the allegations have remained in the coolers of the EFCC as the agency appears to be lacking the political will to carrying on the prosecution.

U.S Investigators had in 2006 asked the EFCC to investigate Bank records of accounts held by Hajiya Aisha M. Buhari from January, 2001, to present, including, but not limited to, accounts at Citizen International Bank, Plot 130, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The bank records should include documents relating to any wire transfers of $10,000 or more.

Although the Presidency through a text message to Pointblanknews.com by Mallam Garba Shehu said the Aisha M. Buhari is not the same as the President’s wife.  U.S investigators said investigations by EFCC would identify the real Aisha M. Buhari named in the documents.

Shehu had also threatened to sue Pointblanknews.com should it publish the reports linking the first lady to the Halliburton/iGate scandal.

The FBI had also asked the EFCC to investigate:                                  

1. a. Any and all documents in the possession of NDTV and its present or former officers, employees, or representative (including, but not limited to, Otunba Oyewole Fashawe, Ahmed Vanderpuije, Dumebi Kachikwu) relating to or involving some of the above listed individuals and entities
2. b. Any and all documents in the possession of any Nigeria public official or agency- including but not limited to the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ministry of Communications, Nigerian Embassy to the United States, Nitel, and the Managing Director of Nitel- relating to or involving some of the above listed individuals and entities
3. c. Correspondences between United States Congressman Williams Jefferson and Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar relating to any U.S. based business venture in Nigeria 
4. d. Correspondences between United States Congressman Williams Jefferson and Jamilah Jennifer Atiku- Abubakar , wife  of  Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, relating to any U.S. based business ventures in Nigeria
5. e. Correspondence between iGate, including its officers and representatives and Vice President  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and any other Nigerian Public official
6. Correspondence between NDTV, including its officers and representatives and Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and any other Nigerian public official
7. g. Correspondence between Atiku Abubakar (or any of his subordinates or representatives), and any government official or agency, including Nitel, relating to some of the above listed individuals and entities
8. h. Any and all documents in the possession of Rosecom.Net and its present or former officers, employees, or representatives (including Suleiman Yahyah) and any Nigerian public official or agency ( including Nitel and its officials, employees or representatives) relating to business ventures involving IGate or W2-IBBS Limited

i.Any and all records and documents relating to any concessions for petroleum products transferred to some of the listed individuals or entities

j.Toll records from January 2001 to the present for telephone 23410803504000, which number has been used or subscribed by Atonte Diete –Spiff

1. k. Any and all documents in the possession of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States related to any travel to Nigeria by Congressman Williams Jefferson in connection with U.S. business ventures in Nigeria, including, but not limited to
2. l. Records from the Sheraton Hotel & Towers related to the stay of Congressman William Jefferson, Vernon Jackson, and any other party affiliated with Jefferson and Jackson during the February, 2004 trip
3. m. Records from the Sheraton Hotel & Towers related to the stay of Congressman William Jefferson, Vernon Jackson, Patrick Gerdes, Adolfo Lambaren, BK Son, and any other party affiliated with Jefferson and Jackson during the May, 2004 trip
4. Records and filing relating to some of the listed entities. The requested documents include, but are not limited to company formation documents, shareholder documents, ownership record, management documents, documents relating to payment of fees related to company filings, and any other company information. The request was particular on Diverse Communications Limited, a company associated with William J. Jefferson through which he was to collect kickback in form of percentage of profit for his official act in respect of NDTV / IGate deal
5. Bank records of accounts held by Ahmed Vanderpuije, Otumba Fashawe NDTV, and Dumebi Kachiku from January, 2003 to present, including, but not limited to, accounts held in Trans International Bank, Transcontinental Bank, Citizen International Bank, Standard Trust Bank, and Continental Trust bank
6. Bank records relating to any payment or transfer of funds from the Petroleum Trust Development Fund to any accounts held by NDTV, Vanderpuije, Fashawe and Kachiku (including but not limited to any accounts held at the Trans International Bank)
7. Bank records relating to any payment or transfer of funds from PTDF for or on behalf of NDTV, Ahmed Vanderpuije, Otumba Fashawe, or Dumebi Kachikwu, to any accounts held by some listed entities and individuals
8. Bank records of accounts held by Hajiya Aisha M. Buhari from January, 2001, to present, including, but not limited to, accounts at Citizen International Bank, Plot 130, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The bank records should include documents relating to any wire transfers of $10,000 or more

s.Bank Records of accounts held by Maureen Scurry, also known as Maureen Edu, from January, 2003 to the present.

1. t. Bank Records of accounts held by Atonte-Diete Spiff and /or Providence International from January 2001, to present, including, but not limited to, account at FSB International Bank, 23 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos; Pacific Bank Limited Lagos; Eagle Bank Limited Lagos.
2. Bank records held by Allison K. Anadi from January 2001 to present including but not limited to, accounts at Assurance Bank. The bank records should include documents relating to wire transfer of $5,000 or more.
3. Bank records for any account held by listed companies from the date of the opening of any such accounts to the present.
4. w. Property transfer records and loan/mortgage records (including applications, correspondences, and documents referring to collateral or security for the loan) relating to the purchase of plot 555 Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent Wuse II Abuja (Location of NDTV office ).
5. Correspondences and communication (electronic or otherwise) between officials, agents, or employees of standard Trust Bank and Maureen Scurry, also known as Maureen Edu, related to financing on behalf of NDTV and/ or IGate.

The EFCC never carried out the investigation and never indicated in their reports that Mrs. Buhari was ever questioned on the allegations. Former Vice President Atiku responded to the EFCC but was never prosecuted as the report was never considered.

Sources told pointblanknews.com that the EFCC since inception have lacked the political will to prosecute certain high profile persons.

A U.S Justice Department source expressed concern over the EFCC’s inability to go ahead and prosecute those linked to the Halliburton/iGate scandal despite receiving all the assistance they had requested for.

“It is a concern for us that after doing all the work, they still can’t go ahead and finish up the part of prosecuting the people, it says a lot” an official of the DOJ told Pointblanknews.com.

Your Excellency’s attention is being drawn to the request made by the United State Attorney’s

Office, Department of Justice via a letter Ref:MEW:DPW:KDL:AV 1 File 182.23818 dated June 22, 2006. The US Attorney’s office requests for certain investigations to be carried out by the

EFCC with regards to a business venture involving iGATE an American company and NDTV, a Nigerian company. Pursuant to this request I caused an in-depth investigation to be conducted. I append below a detailed report of the investigation as follows:-

FACTS: The United States Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia, The United

State Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, and the Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI) are investigating possible violations of federal law, including offences involving bribery of public officials, wire fraud (depravation of honest services and scheme to defraud), bribery of a foreign public official and conspiracy.

The US Central Authority request that Nigerian Authority locates and provides the documents and information on some government officials/institutions, private companies and individuals in relation to the official acts of the congressman in promoting US business ventures in Africa as its relate to IGate/ NDTV business venture, iGate/Rosecom among others. The request of information revolves around the following individuals and companies.

S/N	Full Name
1	Atiku Abubakar
2	Otumba Fashawe
3	Vernon Jackson
4	Maureen Scurry a.k.a Maureen Edu
5	NDTV
6	Rosecom.Net
7	Life Energy Technology Holdings (LETH)
8	TDC Oversees
9	Arkel Sugar
10	Arkel International
11	IGate
12	ANJ Group
13	W2-IBBS, Limited

 

14	Diverse Communication
15	Global Energy& Environmental Services
16	Jefferson Interest Inc
17	IBILE Holdings Limited
18	International Broadband Services, Limited
19	William Jefferson
20	Andrea Jefferson
21	Jamila Jefferson
22	Jalilah E. Jefferson
23	Nailah A. Jefferson
24	Jelani F. Jefferson
25	Akilah A. Jefferson
26	Tory Bullock
27	Philips Jones, Jr
28	Mose Jefferson
29	Bennie Jefferson
30	Archie Jefferson
31	Coy related to the above

INVESTIGATION: On the strength of the request a team of detectives was detailed to investigate the matter with a view to gathering information and documents in respect of the request. Government Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies affected were contacted while some witnesses identified in the request were invited and they volunteered statements. A run down of our checks in the Government agencies, banks, hotels and telecom firms is as follows:

1. Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF): Requesting for all correspondences and any other information relating to payments made to NDTV, individuals or Banks in connection with the U.S Business Venture in Nigeria. Our investigation revealed that the funds approved for the PTDF operations across the country were diverted to some banks namely Equitorial Trust Bank and International Bank for various placements at different interest rates over a period of time. These placements were made pursuant to an approval sought by the PTDF Executive Secretary Y.H Abubakar from the Vice President in whose office, the supervision of the PTDF lies. The investigation further revealed that these placements were made in these banks for purpose not unconnected with promoting some personal businesses which coincided with the placements. These businesses were the roll out of Globacom and the Netlink Digital Television (NDTV) project with a US based Technology vendor called iGate. This revelation led to extending the tentacles of this enquiry to such agencies as Nigerian Communication Commission and Cooperate Affairs Commission with a view to unraveling the individuals and entities behind the establishment of said Telecom Company and the NDTV.
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Requesting for all documents in the possession of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States relating to any travel to Nigeria by Congressman Williams Jefferson in connection with U.S. business ventures in Nigeria and other documents in possession of the embassy relating to any individuals or entities as contained in the letter of request. Their response is still being awaited.
3. Bureau of Public Enterprises: Requesting to forward all documents in their possession relating or involving the companies/ individuals listed in the request: Response to our letter showed that the bureau only has information on Ibile Holdings Limited and Conpetro, the winning bidder for the sale of shares of National Oil and Chemical Marketting. Conpetro, Globacom and ETB are companies owned by Mike Adenuga.
4. Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): Requesting for all records and documents relating to any concession for petroleum products to any of the individuals/entities contained in the request. The response to this request is still being awaited.
5. Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC): Requesting for all correspondences and any other information with/relating to the entities/ individuals contained in the request whose response showed that only NDTV, Globacom and Rosecom.Net featured in their records. Our enquiry on the Globacom’s equity structure showed that the shareholders of the company are Conoil 51%, Alhaji G. Subair 24%, Festus Okechukwu Igbomor 12.5% and Babatunde Akinyera 12.5%. Further enquiry conducted on the address of the shareholders however revealed that
6. Alhaji Subair’s given address at 2/3 Dawaki Road, Kaduna was traced to a property where Mohammed Badamasi Babangida, the first son to the former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida was found to be the owner. This led to his invitation to the Commission where he was interviewed and volunteered statement.
7. Corporate Affair Commission (CAC): Requesting for particulars of registration, names of directors and their addresses, shareholding structure and bankers, documents relating to payments of fees and records of filings on the companies related to individuals mentioned in the request. Response received revealed that only Rosecom.Net, Diverse Communication and W2 IBBS, Ibile Holdings Limited and Globacom were registered with CAC
8. Supreme Court/Nigeria Bar Association: Requesting for details in respect of the two lawyers that incorporated Diverse Communication as featured in the response from CAC. We are still awaiting response.

Letters were written to all the 25 banks in the country requesting for the general details required. While much has been achieved in this regard we are still expecting information from other banks on the request. Specific letters were also written to some identified banks on NDTV, Ahmed Vanderpuije, Fashawe, Kachikwu, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, Maureen Scurry, Atonte-Diete Spiff/ Providence International, Allison K. Anadi. Information on property transfer records and loan/mortgage records was also sought from FCDA and TIB on NDTV office at plot 555 Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent.

Some issues were raised as a result of the investigation we carried out following the request as mentioned above. These issues include:

• What informed the Vice President’s approval for the placement of $125m PTDF approved funds into ETB and TIB.

• The unilateral approval of additional $20m by the Vice President to PTDF and its subsequent placements in TIB, there negating the purpose for which the funds were applied for.

• The allegation of meetings held between the Vice President, Otunba Mike Adenuga and

Hamisu Y. Abubakar (Mairago) in the VP’s office/residence prior to the placements.

• The procedure guiding the approval of funds for PTDF as regards the VP’s supervisory role on

PTDF and host of others.

This led to writing to the Vice President for his response which he ultimately obliged by replying to the Commission.

Letters have already been dispatched to the affected State Governors soliciting their cooperation as regards Arkel Sugar and Arkel International two US companies that are said to be involved in businesses in Akwa Ibom and Jigawa States

We have however received Bank records from Assurance Bank held by Allison K. Anadi from January 2001 to date, but we are still awaiting the bank records relating to wire transfer of $5,000 or more

Statements volunteered by some the witnesses/suspects identified in the request are summarized thus:

SEGUN EGUNJOBI:

He is the branch manger of Trans International Bank who was the account officer of NDTV and who was a party to the meeting between NDTV officers and Maureen Scurry formerly of EX-IM Bank and whose bank advance facility to NDTV for the business deal with iGate. He stated that the NDTV project was to be funded by the TIB through loan finance to Otunba Fasawe against a further loan to be provided by EXIM bank of U.S.A. He further stated that a counterpart funding of $6.5million was to be paid by NDTV, while EXIM was expected to finance the $38million. He further narrated that PTDF is a deposit customer of the bank where some$30million was placed with them. As for opening the NDTV account at TIB in 2002, and the bank became interested in the project because of the letter of interest by the U.S Exim Bank to finance 85% of the project while Sofitel Inc Ltd, a U.S bank agreed to re-finance the remaining 15%. He narrated that out of the N400 Million granted to NDTV, $1.5 Million was transferred to iGate while the sum of N170 Million was utilized in purchasing the project house. He pointed out that a sum of $6.5M was transferred to iGate of which the company agreed to pay the sum of $4 Million when the deal collapses and up till date only $1.7M had been repaid by the company. He noted that though the sum of $5 Million was remitted in Jan 2004 to IGate when the PTDF funds came in, the bank as at then was highly liquid. He also noted that in the course of the project he had meeting with Maureen Edu (Scurry) who was introduced to him as consultant to the project and as an ex-staff of Exim U.S bank. He further stated that she was to facilitate the loan facility from Exim U.S bank in conjunction with Sofitel Inc. Ltd and she was paid a sum of $100,000M as part of her fee. He stated that NDTV also paid SOFITEL INCORPORATED a commitment fee of US$133, 680.00 and US$40, 312 for their role in the deal while the sum of $500,000 was made to Law offices of Jean Michel Malek P.C also in relation to the deal? He denied attending any meeting where bribery, commission or interest was discussed in respect of the project. He also denied knowing any Jefferson’s relations or any individual Otumba is fronting for.

OTUNBA FASAWE:

He is the chairman of NDTV and the chief promoter of the IGate deal while other directors of the company are Ahmed Vanderpuije and Mr. Ted Hazeldine. He admitted that NDTV collected

loan from TIB to finance the iGate deal at the time PTDF deposited funds with TIB as deposit and the loan was secured by his personal guarantee and NDTV building at No, 555 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Abuja. He said his group, NDTV first met with Hon. W. Jefferson during the SULLIVAN summit in Abuja where he promised to give them Information Technology outfit to work with. The meeting was started in London, when Mr. Jefferson presented a technology group called iGate incorporated. He stated that as part of the agreement, NDTV first remitted $1.5million to iGate Inc, while the remaining balance of $5 million was later remitted through the TIB. He further narrated that when there was a breakdown in agreement, they demanded for their money to be refunded and that iGate only returned $1.7 Million which was paid back to TIB as part of the repayment for the loan. He stated that they visited U.S Exim Bank in Washington after they were given a letter of interest to support their NDTV project. He added that he is the NDTV Chairman and that he only assisted Scurry on humanitarian ground because her junior brother was having cancer. He said all funds sent to SOFITEL were professional fees. He lastly appealed to EFCC to help him chase iGate to return the remaining $4.7M. He stated that if there was any kick back given to anybody it would come out in the course of investigation. That he does not front for anybody except his humble self.

MRS MAUREEN EDU ‘F’:

Born on 25/09/66 in Umuahia, Imo State. She is a native of Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. A holder of Bsc. Political Science from University of Jos in 1987. Also has an MBA Degree from University of Wales, Cardiff Business School USA in 1993. That she worked with U.S Export-Import Bank Washington DC from 2000 to 5th October, 2004 when she retired. That she joined the bank with the names of Maureen Scurry as Business Development Specialist on sub Sahara Africa. She mentioned that her work included among others helping to educate both Africa and America business on how to use Exim-Bank guarantees and insurance policies to facilitate the export of US goods and services. She mentioned that she visited many countries in Africa, including Nigeria in her capacity as an official of Exim-Bank. She further narrated that although Exim Bank recorded a lot of successes in Nigeria, there were several potential applications which never resulted in transaction or application to the bank. And this included NDTV, Bellview airlines, and a power plant project in Delta etc. Mrs. Maureen Edu narrated that sometimes in mid-2003; Congressman Jefferson called or emailed her requesting a meeting with Exim Bank to discuss a private transaction in Nigeria, involving a U.S based Technology Company called Igate. That she arranged for the meeting, which was led by the Exim-Bank’s Board member, Mr. Joe Grandmaison she was at the meeting. Others, who were in attendance, included Congressman Jefferson, Mr. Jackson from Igate. She said a second meeting on NDTV was made in the Bank and those present were Igate staff, NDTV chairman, Mr. Otunba Fasawe and Chief CEO, Mr. Ahmed vanderpuije as well as a gentleman from Senegal whom she could not remember if he was from Igate or was independent but could not recall specific duties. She recalled during the first meeting, it was a high level one, where Congressman Jefferson introduced Igate to the Bank. She said the second meeting was more of a staff level meeting, which allowed for detailed discussion and guidance by her on what the process would be to submit an application, which is loan application to Exim Bank. She added that she visited Nigeria during the first quarter of 2004, among others scheduled a meeting with NDTV in Abuja.

The meeting included the Chairman Mr. Otunba Fasawe and probably someone from a local bank with Headquarters in Ibadan. She said NDTV had started several discussions with U.S banks, including small African institutions in Washington DC called Allfirst and Sofitel capital. She said NDTV did not pay any fees to Exim bank in connection with the transaction since no application was made, up till October 2004 when she left the bank. But she added that in the first few months of 2004, Otunba Fasawe gave her a gift of cash in the amount of $100,000.00 approximately which was paid into her account at Citibank Washington, DC. She said Otunba Fasawe sent the monetary gift to her through his company account, NDTV, and at that time she was still with Exim bank in the first few months of 2004 and resigned in October same year. She added that Otunba Fasawe was like a father, whom she made several appeals in person and on phone to assist her because of the financial problems she along with her family encountered as a result of the cancer disease of her brother.

1. DUMEBI KACHIKWU ‘M’:

Born on 20/12/73. He attended Universities of Benin in Nigeria and York in Canada. He owns Netlink Technologies and Netlink Petroleum. He was once a Director in Netlink Digital Television, NDTV, which he incorporated several years ago. He said as he was doing that, Ahmed Vanderpuije approached him in London that he too was interested in investing in the company, who later introduced him to Otunba Fasawe who also showed his interest in the investment. He later left the Company when he saw that the objective of setting up the company has not been met. That the shareholding of NDTV was as follows: Otuba Fasawe 20%, Ahmed vanderpuije 20%, Dumebi Kachikwu 20%, Kites International Holdings an offshore Company belonging to him and Ahmed Vanderpuije 20%. That the Kite holdings were 50/50% between him and Ahmed respectively. He said, they had negotiated with equipment vendors in Europe and South Africa, when Congressman Jefferson said he had a technology and promised to introduce them to Vernon Jackson of Igate that they later signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Igate, where it was arranged that Igate will provide them with initial roll-out and they subsequently paid $6.5 million to Igate. But to his greatest surprise argument ensued between Igate and NDTV over payment terms and refused to proceed with the project. He continued that it was at this stage that he parted ways with his partners. He stated that he first met Williams Jefferson at Sullivan Summit in Nigeria and had about three meetings with him thereafter, one in London and two in Nigeria. Concerning financial matters in NDTV, he stated that apart from technical aspect of the project he has no input. That Fasawe and Vanderpuije were in charge of all the finances in NDTV but that he is aware that they sought for loan from U.S Exim-Bank.

ALIYU MAIGARI:

He is the Protocol Liaison Officer to the Vice President Atiku Abubakar since June 1999. He stated that at about 3.0am of 31/7/05 he received a call in his hotel, Marriot Suites, Bethesda Maryland, from the receptionist introducing a lady who brought a message from Congressman

Jefferson for the Vice – president. The lady was introduced to him as the legislative assistant to the congressman. He further stated that he collected the message which was in envelop sealed and marked confidential with CAPITOL HILL- USA CONGRESS written on it. He added that that he handed over the letter to his colleague Umar Pariya around 5am for delivery to the Vice President because he had to travel to London that day.

ALBERT JULDE MASHI:

He is the Managing Director of Nitel. He stated that on July 26, 2005 he received a letter from the office of the Hon. Minister of Communication forwarding letter from Congressman Jefferson to Vice president Atiku Abubakar on the need to use iGate technology in Nitel’s exchanges through it Nigerian partner – Rosecom.Net. He further stated that they replied the letter communicating that Nitel is already offering IP wholesale and cannot therefore partner with any company unless the company agrees to use the technology that NITEL has already acquired from ZTE. He concluded that nobody prompted him to reconsider Rosecom.net business. He also said that he did not receive any sample of approval to co-locate iGate/Rosecom technology in Nitel and neither did he receive any correspondences from any official of iGate, Jefferson and Rosecom.net on the need for iGate to co-locate its Dslam with Nitel. He also said that he has no personal relationship with Alhaji Yahyah of Rosecom.

SULEIMAN YAHYAH:

He is the chairman and CEO of Rosecom.Net and is behind all the deals between iGate and Rosecom.Net. He stated that Rosecom relationship with iGate started in June 2004 when he visited UK and the US under the sponsorship of Investment and Security Tribunal to explain to Congressmen, among other US agencies. He stated that he was received by Jefferson and three other Congressmen while in America and it was during their meeting that they exchanged cards with Jefferson who became interested in his line of business and arranged for a meeting where they discussed the iGate deal and he was introduced to Mr. Jackson the President of the company. He continued that initially iGate agreed to sell the technology to Rosecom but later requested for a joint venture agreement. He also stated that in one of their meeting in August 2004 when they introduced the Joint Venture Company to him, Lori Mordi, Brett Pfeffer, Williams Jefferson were all present which was held in the law office of Jones Walker. He narrated that Jamila Jefferson, daughter to Jefferson and a staff of Jones Walker, was present as iGate attorney. They also had another meeting at Kentucky in May 2005 with Williams Jefferson and Vernon Jackson on the need to sign the draft agreement. He however said that they have not signed any agreement with Igate/w2IBBs because they refused to sign their portion of the agreement. He stated that Rosecom had to agree to the Nitel offer to stay in the business and because he started to have some reservations about the whole deal because the equipment did not obtain the US Federal Communications Commission’s approval. He further stated that the business failed because of their reservation and when iGate requested for advance payment of about $350,000, which they refused, without any commitment on their part. He stated that Nitel

gave Rosecom.Net an offer on 29/4/05 for internet services but it did not include co-location of technology in Nitel exchange though there was a provision for that. He pointed out that Nitel later offered him another contract which was totally different from the first, completely ignoring the issue of co-locating technology in their exchange and that because of this, their partners Igate/W@-IBB2 became worried that Nitel will not use their technology leading to the Jefferson letter to Vice President Atiku Abubakar requesting that he use his influence to make Nitel rescind their decision. On the issue of the letter to Vice President he recalled that sometimes in mid 2005 he called Jackson on a different issue and Jackson told him that Jefferson had written a letter to Vice President to rescue the Roecom/Nitel deal. He said that after the letter was faxed to him he immediately called Jefferson, voicing his objection on writing that Rosecom is a small telecommunication company and that Rosecom was not consulted before writing the letter. He said Jefferson told him that the letter to Vice President is a private business between him and the Vice President. He finally stated that he is not aware of any issue of payment of 25% of his expected profit to anybody and that there was even no reason for the payment.

MUHAMMED N. HARUNA:

He is Deputy Director in the Ministry of Communication in charge of Planning and Monitoring. He stated that on July 25/ 2005 he received a letter from the office of the Vice President forwarding a letter addressed to the Vice President by Congressman Jefferson for delivery to Nitel. He stated that on receipt of the letter he immediately wrote to the Managing Director requesting for his reaction. He stated that the Managing Director responded on 10/8/05 and on the strength of that he wrote to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President to the effect that there is no subsisting agreement between Nitel and Rosecom.Net for co-location of iGate technology. He stated further that he had never met anybody whether Nigerian or foreigner on the matter apart from correspondences and that he does not know Williams Jefferson and that he has no business with Suleiman Yahyah of Rosecom except in respect of a lease his company, Madeira properties, won for the lease of NIPOST post office project at Maitama on a Build,

Operate and Transfer (BOT), awarded by the Ministry’s Tenders Board which he was the secretary.

William J. Jefferson On August 5, 2009, former congressmen William J. Jefferson, the first elected official ever charged with violating the FCPA, was convicted on 11 of 16 counts of corruption, including conspiracy to violate the FCPA (albeit with a wrinkle described below), soliciting bribes, money laundering, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and racketeering. The jury found Jefferson guilty of soliciting and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for himself or his family members in the form of “consulting fees,” ownership interests in various businesses, shares of revenue or profit from companies he aided, and monthly fees or retainers. He participated in numerous executed and attempted schemes involving telecommunications deals in Ghana and Nigeria, oil concessions in Equatorial Guinea,

and satellite transmission contracts in Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. In many of the schemes, Jefferson used his position and influence as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives to further the interests of businesses in which he owned a stake or that had agreed to pay him bribes. Jefferson also faced a substantive charge of violating the FCPA, but was ultimately acquitted of that charge. The FCPA charge stemmed from Jefferson’s alleged offer to bribe an official of the Nigerian state-owned telecommunications company Nitel in exchange for the official’s assistance in obtaining telecommunications approvals on behalf of a

Nigerian joint venture in which Jefferson held an interest. The indictment alleged that Jefferson offered $500,000 as a “front-end” payment and a “back-end” payment of at least half of the profits of one of the joint venture companies to the official in exchange for the official’s assistance in obtaining approvals that would have allowed the Nigerian joint venture to locate its equipment at Nitel’s facilities and use Nitel’s telephone lines. As part of the “front-end” payment, Jefferson promised to deliver $100,000 in cash to the Nigerian official, which Lori Mody, a partner in the joint venture, provided to Jefferson. Several days later, on August 3,

2005, $90,000 of the $100,000 was discovered in the freezer in Jefferson’s Washington, D.C. home during a raid by federal authorities. The government’s FCPA case was weakened when Mody did not testify. The judge instructed the jury that to convict Jefferson on the FCPA charge, they had to find that he had offered to bribe the Nigerian official or authorized such a bribe. Defense counsel argued that, as the $90,000 had been found in the freezer, it could not have been used to bribe the Nigerian official and that Jefferson had not intended to use it so.

With reports from Pointblanknews.com, New York