DEFENSE MINISTER INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION

UNCLAS ABUJA 002029 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MCAP NI POLMIL SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION ¶1. Minister of Defense Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been indicted by the Kano State government based on the findings of a judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state to investigate allegations of corruption. Kwankaso stands accused in the disappearance of approximately 1 billion Naira (USD 7.5M) in ecological and security funds during his tenure as Governor of Kano State. The state government has directed the state Ministry of Justice to refer the case to the federal Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to help recover the money. ¶2. Reacting to the indictment, Kwankwaso said the commission was created by Governor Shekarau, from the opposition ANPP, who defeated Kwankwaso in 2003, to discredit him and the record of his Kano administration. Kwankwaso is pursuing a legal challenge to this indictment, contending that the commission is unconstitutional and illegal. Sitting Ministers and Governors are immune from prosecution while in office. ¶3. The former Kano State Finance Commissioner under Kwankwaso, Dr. Hafizu Abubakar, was also indicted by the judicial commission for diverting 63 million Naira (USD475k) meant for student allowances into political campaigns. CAMPBELL