Ambassador Onoh files complaint against Onyeama, Sowore, others for alleged human rights abuses, corruption
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ambassador Lilian Onoh has filed a Magnitsky Complaint against former foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters and its chairwoman LaKeisha Landrum Pierre for engaging in alleged human rights abuses and acts of retaliation against a whistleblower, in violation of the Global Magnitsky Act (2016).
Others mentioned in the complaint include former SGF, Boss Mustapha, former Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Gabriel Aduda and many high profile officials, including President Bola Tinubu’s adviser on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
In the detailed submission, Onoh gave a comprehensive review of the link between her reports of corruption in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and eleven stories Sahara Reporters published to attack her credibility and discredit her reports, which she said would be a violation of the Magnitsky Act and open Sowore and Sahara Reporters to sanctions under the Act.
She alleged that Sowore was engaged by Geoffrey Onyeama to help corrupt officials cover up acts inimical to the interests of the USA, including money laundering through American banks, evasion of U.S taxes, and helping a foreign government engage in acts of retaliation against a whistleblower – the very thing that led to the passing of the Global Magnitsky Act.
Onoh also alleged that the $5 million received by Sowore and Sahara Reporters from American donors were received under false pretence, stating that at the time Sowore presented himself as an anti-corruption activist, he had already been engaged by Major General Muhammadu Buhari to carry out the smear campaign against President Goodluck Jonathan with the help of President Tinubu’s adviser, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
The explosive complaint lays bare the alleged corruption in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Buhari era. It includes the report of alleged visa racketeering against the USA, VAT fraud against Namibia by a Nigerian charge d’affaires, which the government of Namibia filed a complaint about with no action from Onyeama and Nigeria. She mentioned the damage to US-Nigeria relations caused by the alleged visa fraud, which included cancellation of visas of some Nigerian diplomats.
Onoh asked that Sowore’s asylum application be reviewed in light of allegations against him at the University of Lagos when he was a student union leader.
She also asked that his green card be revoked because he allegedly worked with a foreign government to cover up acts of corruption inimical to the interests of the USA and for his assets, including his house in Haworth, New Jersey to be seized if it is determined that he benefited from the funds received from American donors under false pretence.
Onoh recommended that he be required to refund the money to the donors with interest.
His wife, Opeyemi, and his children were listed as possible beneficiaries.
The assets of LaKeisha Landrum Pierre were also referred for investigation, especially whether her venture capital firm, Emmeline Ventures, invested stolen funds on behalf of corrupt Nigerian officials.
The complaint was supported by a long list of documentary evidence, including Sowore’s admission in US Court that he knowingly collected a report against Onoh that Geoffrey Onyeama concocted and published it even knowing it was false.
Under the Global Magnitsky Act, those involved in acts of corruption or providing material aid to cover it up or retaliate against whistleblowers are subject to visa revocation, assets freezes and /or forfeiture and other sanctions as applicable.
Onoh listed the victims of the corrupt acts she reported as: The US State Department, US Treasury Department, USCIS (Immigration) and US Banks.
She copied the report to the Ford Foundation and other foundations that reportedly sponsored Sowore or advocated for him.
She also copied the mayor of Haworth New Jersey where Sowore lives.
