I've not been charged for crime, I'm not under US watch list - Atiku clears air

Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has denied the controversial reports that he and his family are under surveillance of the United States government over breach of law.

The former presidential candidate made this known in a statement on Tuesday, September 22, through his media Paul Ibeh.

Atiku described the reports that Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the US Department of Treasury, had reportedly placed him and his family members under close watch as recycled and regurgitated lies.

He also denied being charged for any crime in the US or any other foreign nation over alleged money laundering.

The former vice president further disclosed that fresh lies against him are meant to "divert the attention of Nigerians from the recent statement by the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo, announcing visa and travel bans for certain unnamed but notorious individuals.”

He noted that he would not have been granted visa to visit America where he was received by the US government officials in the build-up to the 2019 general election if he had erred or involved in money laundering as being mischievously circulated.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar is not under any US watch list, neither has he been charged or will ever be charged by the United States Justice Department or any other in a foreign jurisdiction.

“It will be recalled that these recycled lies were re-unearthed just before the February 23, 2019, presidential election, and to put paid to them, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, applied for and received a US visa, whereupon he embarked on a visit to the United States on January 17, 2019. He stayed at a hotel just miles to the United States Department of Justice," part of the statement read.