President Obasanjo on Renditions

S E C R E T ABUJA 001041 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR INL:JSULLIVAN E.O.12958: 1.6X6 and 1.6X8 TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM NI SUBJECT: President Obasanjo on Renditions REF: State 69659 (U) Classified by CDA Andrews; Reasons 1.6X6 and 1.6X8. ¶1. (S/NF) During a breakfast meeting to discuss President Obasanjo's visit to Washington, Ambassador Jeter delivered reftel points. President Obasanjo made an exaggerated look of being taken aback and said, "Ssh! Don't even mention renditions!" The President quickly became serious, however, saying that the Chief Judge of the High Court (Justice Belgore) was clearly corrupt and that the Chief Justice (Justice Mohammed Uwais) knew it. However, Uwais and was not sure of best way to proceed since proving charges of corruption against Belgore would be difficult. The President stated that he very much wants Nigeria to follow the treaty-based extradition process. Ambassador Jeter asked if it would be possible to look into creating a "special panel" to hear extradition cases. The President said he thought it would be. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Renditions are a politically touchy subject. Post had discussed the possibility of creating a special extradition panel within the Federal High Court with AG Ige late last year. Post had proposed to link DOJ training for Nigerian prosecutors in handling extraditions to the creation of such a panel. Difficulties arose over funding and participation levels, and the event never took place. Post will raise the special panel concept again with the AG when he returns from Washington, and will discuss with him the specific issue of what the GON plans to do with the three individuals in detention in Lagos. ¶3. (S/NF) COMMENT CONTINUED: One potential problem with an extradition panel is that it would have to be established by Belgore. END COMMENT. ANDREWS