Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ABUJA1344
2002-05-02 10:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO?

Tags:  PINS PREL KPAO PHUM PGOV NI 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001344 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2012
TAGS: PINS PREL KPAO PHUM PGOV NI
SUBJECT: CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO?


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5(B).


C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001344

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2012
TAGS: PINS PREL KPAO PHUM PGOV NI
SUBJECT: CORRUPTION CHARGE "SHOCKS" GON - MUST GANA GO?


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER. REASON 1.5(B).



1. (U) "Time" magazine recently reported that journalists
invited to Abuja to hear Information Minister Jerry Gana
lament alleged misrepresentations about Nigeria in foreign
media were given envelopes containing 50,000 Naira. "Time"
implied that the money (about USD 400) was intended as a
bribe to solicit more favorable coverage.



2. (U) According to "ThisDay," President Obasanjo was ready
to fire Gana, but VP Atiku Abubakar intervened, suggesting an
investigation instead. Inquiries by the State Security
Service (SSS) and others determined that Gana need not go.
The envelopes had contained modest sums clearly intended to
defray airfare and lodging for the Lagos-based journalists,
according to Justice Minister Godwin Kanu Agabi's report.



3. (U) The "Time" story was just another example of how
foreign media victimize Nigeria, fumed the GON. Twenty-one
of the 24 invited foreign journalists, including CNN's Jeff
Koinange, who had been at the center of the original spat,
had accepted the money, the GON claimed. Not only that, but
paying "honoraria" to journalists invited to cover an event
was a common practice -- engaged in by "USIS", among others,
the GON claimed. In the future, those who "defame" the GON
would be subject to prosecution, Agabi huffed.



4. (U) PAO Comment: The claim about "USIS" is entirely
inaccurate. PAS never provides honoraria for journalists
attending news events. There may have been some confusion
with PAS sponsorship of journalists who participate in
International Visitor programs. End PAO Comment.



5. (U) The GON-owed "Daily Times" April 25 duly noted the
GON assertions in its news story but ran an editorial quite
critical of its owner. The editorial quoted Gana's terse
dismissal of the sum as paltry ("What is $400?") and agreed
that the practice of "covering expenses" was common. "But
with the government's...avowed war on corruption in the
country, it is sickening to note that such practice rather
than being discouraged is actively indulged in by its very
own officials. Surely, foreign media organizations operating
in the country are buoyant enough to cater for all expenses
of their staff. For the Information Ministry to offer
N50,000 to each journalist for whatever reason raises more
questions than answers. ...What could possibly be the
ultimate reason other than to compromise him to write
favorable reports?" The newspaper then calls on its owner to
set an example and halt hand-outs to journalists.


--------------
COMMENT
--------------



6. (C) Was "Jerry Propagana" guilty of attempted bribery?
Probably not. Informed sources tell us that the going rate
for local "placement" is 100,000 Naira (about USD 800). The
perennial Information Minister is far too experienced to
attempt mass-bribery of foreign media representatives at half
the rate for renting a local journalist's sympathies. He
would take a subtler approach, shelling out more money to a
few key people he knows are for sale. Also, paying a
journalist's travel and lodging is common practice. While
PAS/Nigeria does not defray journalists' travel expenses to
attend a press conference, many others with a story to tell
do just that -- not only the GON, but also politicians and
companies holding their annual meetings. As "Daily Times"
suggests, however, the line between defraying travel costs
and purchasing influence is difficult to discern. The GON
doubtless knows that, hence its self-righteous sputtering.
Also, political fixers, such as Works Minister Tony Anenih
are widely reputed to cajole with cash, usually capacious
"Ghana-Must-Go" bags stuffed with Naira notes.



7. (C) The GON is behaving like a habitually naughty child
who, this one time, is innocent. With much braying and a bit
of foot-stamping, the GON tries to intimidate would-be
journalistic whistle-blowers. But the targets seem to be
fighting back. BBC ran a story about Agabi's threats on its
website, noting that Obasanjo's sensitivity to negative media
coverage was costing him opportunities to highlight his
Administration's achievements. For most Nigerian
journalists, the entire discussion is unwelcome, as it puts a
major source of income at risk. But they need not worry; the
GON and Nigerian elites are unlikely to discard proven
methods during an election year because of a minor scandal in
the international press. Buying favorable coverage is part
of the political game, and sophisticated Nigerians will
continue to play it.
JETER