The Associated Press
Saturday, August 27, 2005; 4:35 PM

A State Department spokeswoman would not confirm when the search occurred, referring questions to the Justice Department. A Justice spokesman declined to comment.

The Times-Picayune of New Orleans first reported that agents had searched the Potomac, Md., home of Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Aug. 3. On the same day, FBI agents searched the Washington and New Orleans homes of Rep. William Jefferson, an eight-term Democrat.

The State Department would not say whether the searches were linked.

"All inquiries regarding the search of the United States residence of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar should be directed to the Department of Justice," spokeswoman Joanne Moore said. "We do not comment on ongoing federal law enforcement investigations."

Asked about the searches, Justice spokesman Charles Miller responded, "There's nothing I can say."

Moore said she could not immediately comment on how issues of diplomatic immunity related to the search of the U.S. home of a foreign elected official.

The searches of Jefferson's homes came amid questions about his financial dealings with a high-tech startup company.

The Times-Picayune has reported that investigators were looking into Jefferson's dealings with Abubakar and the vice president of Ghana.

Jefferson's spokeswoman, Melanie Roussell, said Saturday that the congressman had no comment.

Abubakar could not be reached for comment. A phone number for his residence was not listed. The Nigerian Embassy was not open.