Nigeria's consul general commits diplomatic blunder. Risks recall

As it took the FBI (Federal Bureau of investigation) to expose the atrocities of Nigeria's super cop, Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of the Special Unit of the Inspector General of Police, Abba Kyari, hence his fall from grace to grass, it appears that the United States government may be the country that will sanction the Nigeria consul general in Atlanta since the Nigeria government has not bothered to caution Ambassador Amina Smaila, especially following several allegations of high handedness and corruption against her in the United States.


In the past eight months, allegations of imposing fraudulently charges on Nigerians who want to apply for Nigerian passports rocked the consulate, even as she was alleged to have bought a mansion in Atlanta without the FGs approval. Also late last year, she was alleged to have provided diplomatic cover for a Senegalese who pulled a gun on a Nigerian doctor inside the consulate while trying to apply for Nigerian passports for himself and his family. Now, Smaila was caught on video defacing American dollars during a comedy show that featured Elenu on February 11, 2022.


In the diplomatic circle, what the consul general has done is capable of incurring sanctions against her and Nigeria as it is believed to be an act of disrespect. She was caught on camera matching on American dollars that had dropped off the money that comedian, Elenu's friends had pastel on his forehead.


A retired diplomat who doesn't want to be drawn into the matter exclusively told this reporter that "It is a diplomatic blunder that can cause her recall. It's a big deal," he said.

Urging the FG to do something about the incessant embarrassment that Smaila has brought upon Nigeria, "it is obvious that she knows next-to-nothing about the art of diplomacy and should be held responsible for her failures as this tells on Nigeria.


"In Nigeria, defacing (disrespecting the national currency) is acceptable, but not here, and not in public. It's like walking when the national anthem is on, or urinating on a country's flag. An ordinary person can do that, but not a diplomat.


"We keep saying we are not respected abroad but also keep putting amateurs in offices that should be run by professionals. Why should we complain when we present our worst and we embarrass ourselves out there? Even if it is true that the consul general is the daughter of one of president Buhari's good friends, should Nigeria continue to suffer for her unpardonable errors? In the past one year, she is the only diplomat that has been mentioned in incidents that are very embarrassing", he said.


On February 11, in a special lovers edition of Gyration & Chill with Elenu & Friends in Georgia, the consul general was caught on camera "defacing American dollars" to the shock of many diplomats who were invited to the show.


By: Biodun Adesaye

We live in a country who's government condones anyhowness from its officials no matter how scandalous so expect no justice