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The Federal Government says that the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, will be questioned over a fresh corruption case when he returns from the United States.
Minister of Information and Culutre, Lai Mohammed who disclosed this to State House reporters today, said Atiku who left the country on Thursday, was involved in corrupt actvities that led to the collapse of the defunct Bank PHB.
Lai said fresh evidence has revealed that the former vice president benefitted from the slush funds that led to the collapse of the Bank PHB, former Habib Bank.
He said the federal government has the account mandate, cheque and account statement showing Atiku as the signatory to the account that received part of the slush fund.
“We want him to stay in the US for as long as he wants but he has to explain to Nigerians when he returns.
Recting to the US trip which the government and the APC had said Atiku woukd never make because of the corruption cases against him in the US, Lai said the government had earlier issued a statement advising the U.S. not to issue him a visa.
He, however, said it remains the prerogative of the U.S. government to issue visa to anyone
“We are not perturbed one bit. He can go ahead and get a U.S. green card. That will not save him from imminent defeat in the forthcoming election,” Mr Mohammed said.
He also said the “election will be held here not in the U.S.”
The minister, however, said his claim does not imply that the former vice president will be arrested on his return.