By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

Nigerian-born international human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, has petitioned the United States Justice Department to investigate Congressman, Scot Perry, over his comments on the United States of America being a sponsor of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

The petition whichh was sent to News Express, was meant to draw the attention of the United States Attorney of the District of Columbia, Edward R. Martin, Jr., to the imminent danger and’safety threat that Congressman Perry’s statement posed to Americans abroad.

According to Ogebe, Perry’s assertion that the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, funded Boko Haram and ISIS terrorism in Nigeria, was very shocking, especially as the US government, under President Barack Obama, had designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, FTO, in 2013.

“I was shocked to see comments by Congressman Scott Perry, that USAID is funding ISIS and Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as the topmost global expert on Nigerian terrorism to work with the U.S. Congress for President Obama’s designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 13, 2013, - as also sought by (recent Deputy Attorney General) Lisa Monaco,” read the petition.

Ogebe further stated that as a seasoned fact finder and investigator, he had once testified in Congress that Turkish Airlines should be investigated in connection with their role of smuggling arms into Nigeria.

“Not only did I testify in Congress before the designation but I testified after the FTO as well to report to Congress that Turkish Airlines should be investigated after we obtained evidence of a cockpit recording where Turk pilots discussed arms smuggling into Nigeria. In addition, I traveled with multiple US congressional delegations to Nigeria on fact-finding missions over the years,” stated Ogebe.

Further stressing how very deeply shocked he was at Perry’s disclosure, Ogebe went on quote Perry as detailing the disbursement of the huge sums of money involved in the terrorism funding as further evidence of his intentionality to be detailed and discreet.

“It is therefore deeply disturbing that in congress last week United States lawmaker, Scott Perry, said: “Who gets some of that money? Because your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,”” read the petition.

Ogebe then added that Perry’s statement had unsettled Nigeria and Nigerians and triggered a huge disturbance in the country’s polity.

“This statement claiming USAID funds Boko Haram terrorists has sent shockwaves through Nigeria and elicited targeting of innocent Christians and aidworkers and further endangered hundreds of American diplomats in one of the largest U.S. embassies in the world,” the petition read.

The remaining part of the petition read: “Making false and unfounded allegations, right after Musk’s admission that USAID’s $50 million condoms used for bombings by Hamas terrorists was untrue, would be highly irresponsible and jeopardizes the security of American diplomats and other innocents in the terror-plagued countries.

“If it is true, I am sure you agree that the United States must speedily work to plug any taxpayer funds to terrorists who hate and have attacked Americans including an FBI Legal Attache from your Department bombed in Abuja in 2011.

“The U.S. government takes terrorism seriously and offered a $7million reward for the capture of Boko Haram’s leaders. The US ambassador has already denied Rep Perry’s crass falsehoods.

“I hope you will quickly investigate Perry’s unsubstantiated claim regarding Boko Haram before anyone gets hurt. Free speech or political puffery is not worth putting Americans lives at risk abroad.

“I trust you will treat as promptly this inquiry into Rep Perry’s remarks in Congress as you did Rep Rob Garcia’s TV interview. If that is considered a threat to an unelected individual, how much more the threat posed to thousands of American officials worldwide?

“I look forward to your urgent intervention.

Emmanuel Ogebe

Special Counsel

Justice for Jos Project.”