ICPC REINSTATES MINISTERIAL CORRUPTION CHARGES,

UNCLAS ABUJA 000979 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM NI SUBJECT: ICPC REINSTATES MINISTERIAL CORRUPTION CHARGES, RE-ARRESTS THE ACCUSED REF: ABUJA 974 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR PUBLICATION ON THE INTERNET OR INTRANET. ¶1. (SBU) Soon after corruption charges were withdrawn against the five senior GON ex-officials on June 2 (reftel),they were re-arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). They were brought to the Abuja High Court on June 3, and indicted on a new 19-count charge. All of them pleaded not guilty and were bailed. The next hearing was set for July 20th. ¶2. (SBU) The "new" 19 charges are not substantially different from the previous 16-count charge. The accused were split up, however, into three groups. Sacked Labor Minister Husseini Akwanga, ex-Internal Affairs Ministry PermSec Ms. Turie Akerele and former PDP National scribe Okwesilieze Nwodo were charged in one group. Former Minister Mohammed Shata will be tried separately, as will former Interior Ministry Director Christopher Agidi. When asked to comment on why the accused are divided into 3 groups, one defense counsel opined that "probably the prosecution would like to use some of them as principal witnesses." CAMPBELL