“No Incriminating Evidence Involving Atiku” — US Juror

US shouldn’t allow Nigeria weaponize visa for repression of opponents — US-based intern
WORLD NEWS

By ElombahNews On Dec 7, 2018

Former Vice President and 2019 PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
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HIGHLIGHTS:
A juror in the trial of US Congressman Jefferson says no evidence implicated Mr Atiku
International human rights lawyer warns USA not to join Buhari’s repression of opponents
Convicted us Congressman now freed on appeal
Due to issues of urgent national interest generated by the alleged US “cases” involving the leading challenger to former VP Abubakar Atiku, we have undertaken to shed more light on the above in a bid to provide the general public an informed analytical framework and to clarify the role of US Nigeria Law Group in the same.

THE CASE AGAINST CONGRESSMAN JEFFERSON – DEFENSE COUNSEL’S VIEW
Several years ago, we were approached by defense counsel to congressman Wilson to assist him in their defense of him in matters related to his interactions with VP Abubakar Atiku. We declined the offer. However a lawyer within the USNLG law group was ultimately retained by Jefferson’s counsel to assist them in the matter.

While not having been directly involved in the matter, we can state for a fact as follows:

The case was against Congressman Jefferson and not VP Abubakar Atiku

The interest of the defense counsel was not in VP Abubakar Atiku but in his Nigerian American wife

The interest in the wife was not as a co-accused or indicted co-conspirator but as a witness for the defense in the trial of the US congressman

It is our understanding that Nigerian counsel in the matter were unable to serve her and as a result she did not testify on behalf of the congressman who was subsequently jailed.

This is the extent of our direct knowledge in the case. We however add a historic footnote that congressman Jefferson had been pro Abacha during our prior efforts to engage the US Congress to press for democracy in Nigeria 20 years ago. Even back then there had been rumors of his unhealthy business interests in Nigeria under that military dictatorship.

US Nigeria Law Group crew with US Senators
THE CASE AGAINST CONGRESSMAN JEFFERSON – A JUROR’S VIEW
Over a period of time, we interviewed a member of the jury who voted for the conviction of Congressman Jefferson. It was indicated to us that:

The jurors reviewed video recordings of meetings in the VP’s Potomac mansion as well as audio of the wiretaps of conversations held with VP Abubakar Atiku. The juror intimated that in none of these did he incriminate himself in anyway insisting that the VP was noncommittal.

The juror in question revealed that a fellow juror was convinced that there was no proof that Abubakar Atiku was involved in the bribery scheme and therefore they agreed not to convict Jefferson on the count related to his alleged inducement of Atiku.

Specifically he stated to us thus: MY Impression during the US REP Jefferson trial regarding VP Atiku. “My experience as a Juror on the Congressman Jefferson Case was revelatory on how corruption is conducted by US government officials. Government officials have implicit way of taking bribes.

I was also amazed on how many American businessmen/women are willing to invest in Africa .The US Rep Jefferson had set up companies in his wife and children’s names to collect consultation fees for these business deals. We examined an bribery indictment….

The FBI wanted to connect the $100K as a bribe to get a contract in Nigeria for a caucasian lady from Virginia who had wiretapped conversation with the congressman . She also wiretapped her trip to the Vice President’s mansion in Potomac Maryland.

The Vice President was very careful with his dealings and his words during this particular meeting. On examining the evidence of bribery to Vice President we had one Juror who was not convinced and disagreed with the rest of us jurors therefore; Congressman was not found guilty on this particular indictment.

So Jefferson was not found guilty on this particular charge of bribery to the Vice President. It was really an experience of a life time and memorable event in my life. I got to see pictures of the mansion in Potomac .

I realized on thing that many US politicians and business investors find Africa as a place were they can do business under the table with no legal ramifications if the government officials are part of their deals. To them this is an adventure.

Jefferson exploited this opportunity to most of them .At the same time the Congressman Jefferson was playing the middle man in facilitating potential deals to enrich himself – pure greed.”

We wish to clarify that this is not a review of the record of proceedings but direct feedback of persons in the courtroom who determined the verdict on the congressman. The juror has requested anonymity at this time.

UPDATE: THE APPEAL OF CONGRESSMAN JEFFERSON SUCCESSFUL
The juror interviewed brought it our attention that Congressman Jefferson has since been released from prison following the overturning of his conviction on appeal. He shared with us this link that indicates that verdict was reversed not because of errors in the trial but because a new precedent by the Supreme Court in the corruption trial of a US Governor came into effect HERE.

In conclusion, the juror stated, “I feel that my time and tax payers money was wasted to hear that the case was overturned.” The Congressman was released last year.

Atiku trouble is in the US Senate committee indictment.

Also indicated along with Atiku was Theodore Obiang (Equatorial G) Omar Bongo (Gabon) and the government of Angola.

Let the debate continue, 2019 will be the judge

Chai, i can only imagine what will be going on in Aso rock now

They will be calling Lie Mohammed to come up with new lies to deceive Nigerians