Nigerian Ambassador to United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, has described as a welcome development, the decision of the United States to use visa revocation to tackle the menace of corrupt foreign government officials.
Fielding questions from journalists at the weekend on US’ decision to revoke visas of corrupt officials of foreign governments, particularly in respect of the revocation of the visa of former Attorney General, Mr Michael Aondoakaa, Adefuye said, “I have not been officially informed but if my opinion is sought, I will support any move to discourage corruption. They should not revoke only their visas but also that of their children and families not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.”
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee Sanders, had during a visit to THISDAY, recently confirmed that Aondoakaa’s visa had been revoked but declined to give details of the revocation.
Last month, THISDAY reported that Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Elizabeth Verville, told a high level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, that US would continue to use visa denial, including revocation of already issued visas, as an effective tool for targeting corrupt officials, their family members, those that corrupt them, and their assets.
Adefuye said tackling corruption is a major priority of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, and as the country’s envoy to US, he is particularly happy that his host country would not be a safe haven for national treasury looters.
Noting that he had been canvassing for the support of the West in assisting Africa to tackle the problem of corruption, Adefuye said: “During my days in the Commonwealth Secretariat in London as Special Adviser and Head of Africa Section, I used to tell the British, Americans and the French that one way you can help us is to make sure that those who steal our money do not use technical legalities to escape.”
Adefuye said there was also an urgent need for the West to help repatriate stolen funds to Africa, apart from revoking visas of corrupt officials.