UNCLAS ABUJA 002828

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCOR PTER EFIN PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA TO IDENTIFY ACCOUNTS HELD BY ADDITIONAL
FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS

REF: (A) STATE 192004 (B) ABUJA 2793



1. EconOff delivered Ref A information November 5 to Ernest
Ebi, Deputy Governor for International Operations at the
Central Bank of Nigeria. Ebi agreed to add the list of 22
organizations to an amended Call Circular, which requires all
banks to identify accounts associated with these terrorist
entities. However, Ebi commented, the decision to freeze
accounts of entities not directly connected with the
September 11 attacks would be a political decision made by
President Obasanjo.



2. Ebi was pleased to report that, as of November 2, 50 of
Nigeria's 89 banks had responded to the CBN Call Circular
issued October 8 and amended October 17. The Circular
required all banks to identify and report on any accounts
associated with the 66 entities pursuant to the September 23
Executive Order and other designations by the Secretaries of
State and Treasury. None of the 50 respondent banks found
terrorist-related accounts. Ebi has agreed to full
disclosure of any information uncovered through the CBN's
investigation.
Andrews