There was indication on Sunday that United States might slam visa restrictions on some Nigerian government officials in protest against the state pardon granted a former Bayelsa State Governor Dieprieye Alameiyeiseigha, and an ex-Managing Director of the defunct Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama.
A diplomatic source, who made this known to The PUNCH in Abuja, said the US was miffed by the Federal Government’s decision to summon its Deputy Head of Mission for flaying the reprieve granted the two men.
He said, “There are a lot of options open to Washington. For one, if this matter is not resolved, they can issue visa restrictions on government officials and then follow it up with other sanctions recognised within international law.”
The source said that Nigeria currently stands at a disadvantage should the visa restrictions be imposed. He said, “Your country stands at a disadvantage because international opinion weighs heavily against it on this one(state pardon).
“Financial crime, especially money laundering, is closely linked to drug trade and drug trade is linked to terrorism; the whole world is affected by it. “So, if any government is seen to be condoning financial crimes in any form, it stands the risk of international isolation.”
When contacted, a Public Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy in Abuja, SaniMohammed, said, “ I am not aware of anything like that (visa restrictions).”
A Presidency source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the media on the issue, revealed that proper consultations were not held before the decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha and Shettima was taken.
The source said, “It is unfortunate that proper consultations were not held before the decision was taken.
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