Lagos, Nigeria - The United States has criticized Nigeria for
issuing a pardon to a former governor convicted of corruption who is a
political confidant of the nation's president.
Friday, in messages on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said it was "deeply disappointed"
over the pardon issued this week of former Bayelsa state Gov. Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached and later convicted in Nigeria.
Investigators said he likely stole millions of dollars while in office.
Nigeria's
President Goodluck Jonathan once served as Alamieyeseigha's deputy. His
impeachment marked the start of Jonathan's rise in Nigerian politics.
The
embassy said: "We see this as a setback in the fight against
corruption." Embassy spokeswoman Deb MacLean said Friday that officials
had no further immediate comment.
Nigeria is a top U.S. crude oil supplier.
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