Nigeria’s vice president sought up to $500,000 and a stake in a technology venture in his country, according to statements Rep. William Jefferson made to an FBI informant that were detailed in court documents filed in a bribery probe of the congressman.
Jefferson allegedly told the FBI informant that he had delivered “African art,” which authorities believe was code for cash, to the Potomac, Md., home of the wife of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar at midnight last July 31.
Details of the alleged deal were included in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court to secure a warrant to search Abubakar’s house in Potomac. The affidavit was unsealed Monday by the federal court in Greenbelt.
The affidavit says delivery of the money came shortly after Jefferson allegedly received $100,000 in cash from the FBI informant that was supposed to help smooth the way for a Kentucky telecommunications company, iGate Inc., to conduct business in Nigeria.
I think this case will continue to get more interesting.