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Wiki Leaks:Startling Revelations about Waziri’s EFCC, Aondoakka,
Saraki and Yar’Adua
Newsdiaryonline Sun Sep 4,2011
A fresh insight has been given into
how Farida Wazii’s EFCC
works and why the UK relationship with the agency ‘stalled’This
is contained in a Wiki
Leaks expose.
The WikiLeaks revelation
on US embassy cable dated 01/17/2008 which originated from
London also describes
the ‘bad’ relationship between UK and
the Former Attorney General Michael Aondoakka: “HMG's
relations with Nigerian Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa
remain bad, largely because of the corruption case against
former governor Ibori, following a letter from the UK Home
Secretary indicating that HMG will not return the evidence the
EFCC gave HMG for its case against Ibori's associates’’the cable
said.
It also contains reports on the
schemings by Kwara state's ex Governor Bukola
Saraki
for the Presidency etc
Read the cable below as published by UK Telegraph:
NIGERIA: UK ON EFCC AND PRESIDENT YAR A'DUA
Ref ID:
08LONDON2882
Date:
11/17/2008 15:45
Origin:
Embassy London
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Destination:
08ABUJA2095|08ABUJA2248|08LONDON1916|08LONDON2477|08LONDON2499
Header:
VZCZCXRO2913PP RUEHPADE RUEHLO #2882/01 3221545ZNY CCCCC ZZHP
171545Z NOV 08 ZDKFM AMEMBASSY LONDONTO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
PRIORITY 0431INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
PRIORITYRUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 0599RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY
PRETORIA PRIORITY 0653RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY
0135RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 0635RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM
STUTTGART GE PRIORITYRHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITYRUEAIIA/CIA
WASHINGTON DC PRIORITYRHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
Tags:
PREL,KCOR,KCRM,PINR,NI,UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LONDON 002882 SIPDIS
NOFORN STATE FOR AF/W, INL/C, INL/AAE, AND INR E.O. 12958: DECL:
11/17/2018 TAGS: PREL, KCOR, KCRM, PINR, NI, UK SUBJECT:
NIGERIA: UK ON EFCC AND PRESIDENT YAR A'DUA REF: A. LONDON 2499
B. LONDON 1916 C. ABUJA 2248 D. ABUJA 2095 E. LONDON 2477 LONDON
00002882 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor
Jim Donegan, reasons 1.4 (b/d ).
1.(C/NF) Summary. The UK's relationship with Nigeria is
"static," FCO Nigerian Team Leader Catherine Inglehearn said
November 14. Cooperation with Nigeria's Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) has largely stalled, pending a letter
from new chair Waziri about HMG engagement with the Commission.
Meanwhile, the UK legal experts continue to pursue with the EFCC
controls to e-crime. HMG's relations with Nigerian Attorney
General Michael Aondoakaa remain bad, largely because of the
corruption case against former governor Ibori, following a
letter from the UK Home Secretary indicating that HMG will not
return the evidence the EFCC gave HMG for its case against
Ibori's associates. Former UK Charge in Abuja (and current FCO
East and Central Africa Group Head) James Tansley assesses that
Waziri will not pursue any corruption cases that are not in the
government's interests and that the Attorney General keeps
Waziri on a very short leash. Tansley also thinks that Bukola
Saraki's intentions are the key to post-Yar A'dua planning.
Saraki's intentions, possibly to take a more front-and-center
role (rather than his current behind-the-scenes influence), may
determine much in Nigeria's "power over position" political
landscape. Tansley, while not formally covering Nigeria, is
likely to continue influencing the Foreign Office's thinking on
Nigeria. End summary.
2.(C/NF) On November 14, FCO Nigeria Team Leader Catherine
Inglehearn provided an update on HMG's thinking on the EFCC and
other Nigeria issues. James Tansley, former UK Charge in Abuja
and new Head of the FCO's East and Central Africa Group,
discussed HMG's legal cooperation with the Nigeria Government
and his thoughts about President Yar A'dua. (NOTE: Tansley does
not cover Nigeria in his new position. END NOTE.)
EFCC and Waziri ---------------
3.(C/NF) HMG has not heard a response to the UK Serious
Organized Crime Organization's (SOCA) September request that
EFCC Head Waziri write a statement on the state of corruption in
Nigeria and give HMG a list of working-level contacts within the
Commission (reftel A). Following a courtesy call by British
Embassy Abuja's new corruption officer during the week of
November 10, Waziri requested a meeting with the UK High
Commissioner. British Embassy Abuja put off the request and will
likely continue stalling until Waziri responds to SOCA's
request, according to FCO Nigeria Team Leader Catherine
Inglehearn, admitting however that HMG has not "considered where
to go from here."
4.(C/NF) Inglehearn said that representatives from SOCA's
Financial Services Agency (FSA) recently met with officials in
the EFCC's Financial Intelligence Unity (FIU) and were "charmed"
by the FIU personnel, finding that SOCA "could really work with
them." Inglehearn said the Foreign Office has been trying to
balance the discussions with EFCC, as HMG cannot let "the big
political fish go simply because the small ones are easier to
catch." She admitted, however, that e-crime in Nigeria is a big
issue for the British public and SOCA will continue to pursue
it. Commenting on the changed dynamic on the ground between HMG
and the EFCC, Tansley said that practically speaking HMG had not
had any legal cooperation with the Government of Nigeria in over
nine months.
The Attorney General and Ibori ------------------------------
5.(C/NF) On the corruption case against former Governor Ibori
and HMG relations with Nigerian Attorney General Michael
Aondoakaa, Inglehearn said Aondoakaa had written to LONDON
00002882 002.3 OF 003 the UK Home Secretary to request that the
evidence the EFCC had given to HMG for the Ibori case be
returned to the GoN because the transfer of information had gone
through inappropriate channels. The UK Home Secretary replied by
saying that the information was given in good faith and that HMG
is happy to give the GoN copies of everything HMG received.
Three weeks ago, HMG invited Aondoakaa to the UK to discuss the
case and other issues. The AG has not replied, and Inglehearn
said it is likely because of the implicit message in the UK Home
Secretary's letter that HMG would not be returning the Ibori
evidence. HMG plans to push the Attorney General to make the
visit before Christmas. Inglehearn also said HMG continues to
pursue a prisoner transfer deal with the Nigerian Attorney
General, but has not made any progress, especially since the AG
knows HMG "wants the agreement" (reftel B).
On the Attorney General and Waziri
----------------------------------
6.(C/NF) Tansley said the Attorney General has stopped
cooperation with the UK at all turns, and that he does not think
HMG will be able to develop a more productive relationship or
conclude a prisoner transfer agreement with Aondoakaa. Tansley
said the Attorney General has put Waziri on a very short leash
and that he has "no doubt" that Aondoakaa is protecting the
governors and other key officials from prosecution. He also
noted that Aondoakaa is very close to Ibori, who is generally
acknowledged as one of President Yar A'dua's closest advisors.
Tansley assessed that Waziri would prosecute small cases, but
will not pursue any cases that are not in the government's
interest.
What If President Yar A'dua... ------------------------------
7.(C/NF) Tansley said he thinks Nigerian President Yar A'dua
"will hold on longer than we think," but assessed that Kwara
State Governor Bukola Saraki is the key to post-Yar A'dua
scenario planning (reftel D). Tansley said it is convincible
that if Saraki decides he wants a more official, in-the-front
role, Saraki could become current VP Goodluck Jonathan's Vice
President. While it would be difficult for the Northerns to
abide a Southern President, Nigeria's political scene is one of
"power over position." Such a scenario would be easier for
Saraki to sell towards the end of Yar A'dua's term
--
Jonathan would take over for a few months, and then Saraki could
take the top position through regular elections.
8.(C/NF) If Saraki decides to remain behind the scenes in Yar
A'dua absence, then there may be a more aggressive legal
challenge to overturn the election results or a small cabal of
Northerns may ensure that Jonathan, if he is able to take the
top position, remains impotent.
9.(C/NF) Tansley noted that Saraki is very close to Ibori, and
Ibori is likely to maintain significant influence in the
government, even if he does not hold a ministerial position.
Exclusion List, Lagos Governor's Visit
--------------------------------------
10.(C/NF) Inglehearn said HMG continues to develop criteria for
an exclusion list that would prevent Nigerians from receiving
visas on a case-by-case basis. The FCO's planning, in
conjunction with the UK Home Office, is still in the initial
stages but will focus on corruption. Separately, Inglehearn said
that the Governor of Lagos would be visiting London on an
official visit at the beginning of December. His calls will
focus on financial management, urban planning, and
public-private partnerships.
Comment -------
11.(C/NF) Recently returned from Nigeria, Tansley will likely
continue to influence the Foreign Office and HMG's thinking on
Nigeria, even though the country does not officially fall in his
remit. When he originally agreed to take his new position on
East and Center Africa, Nigeria fell in his portfolio. With the
FCO Africa Directorate's recent LONDON 00002882 003.2 OF 003
reshuffle (reftel E), Nigeria now falls under West Africa. End
comment. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXXTUTTLE
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