Nigeria, Feb. 11 -- US companies can now bribe officials in Nigeria and other countries without fear of repercussions, as the US government has suspended a law that allows it to prosecute its citizens for bribing foreign officials to secure contracts.

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing the country's Justice Department to pause prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the US law prohibiting American citizens and businesses from bribing foreign government officials to gain or retain business.

The president asked the US attorney general to pause prosecution under this law until a revised enforcement guidance that promotes American competitiveness is issued.

The law, enacted in 1977 un...