LONDON POLICE ARREST BAYELSA GOVERNOR, IJAW YOUTH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LAGOS 001463

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC NI
SUBJECT: LONDON POLICE ARREST BAYELSA GOVERNOR, IJAW YOUTH
THREATEN RETALIATION; ASARI REPORTEDLY ARRESTED


Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) confirmed its cooperation with UK
authorities on
Bayelsa State Governor Alamieyesiegha's September 15 London
arrest
in connection with allegations of money laundering.
The London Metropolitan police have reportedly
released the Governor, but seized his passport to
prevent his return to Nigeria, pending his appearance
at a November hearing. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)
threatened British oil interests and citizens in the
Delta region unless the Governor was allowed to
return home. The IYC renewed these threats upon
unconfirmed news of the arrest of Niger Delta People's
Volunteer Force leader Asari. The British High Commission
is advising British citizens and companies
operating in the Niger Delta to exercise caution, and
he private security firms contracted by
petroleum firms are advising vigilance.

Governor Alamieyesiegha's Arrest;
EFCC Worked with London Police on Case
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) The Nigerian newspapers devoted their front page
to
Governor Alamieyesiegha's September 15 London arrest in
connection
with allegations of money laundering. The Nigerian Economic
and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) noted in a public
statement,
"The EFCC wishes to state that the commission is fully in the
picture of the on-going investigation while it has a close
relationship with the Metropolitan Police and other law
enforcement agencies around the world." The EFCC also
indicated
seven London banks accounts have been traced to
Alamieyesiegha.
Some press reports indicate President Obasanjo is pushing
for Alamieyesiegha's trial in London, where he would not
enjoy
immunity from prosecution, as he does in Nigeria.
On September 20, Nigerian media reported President Obasanjo
had convened a meeting with the state governors to lecture
them on
the "consequences of continued involvement in corrupt
practices,"
pointing to its deleterious impact on Nigeria's
socio-economic development.

Bayelsa State Financial Officials Targeted, Questioned
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) Alamieyeseigha's arrest appears to
be the culmination of increased scrutiny of Bayelsa
state officials. In the last week, the Bayelsa Finance
Commissioner,
Accountant-General and Government House accountant,
reportedly have been questioned by the EFCC.

IYC Calls Arrest a Conspiracy Between British,
Nigerian Governments to De-Stabilize Ijaws
-------------- -


4. (SBU) Press reports indicate the IYC President,
"Comrade" Oyeinfie Jon-Jon called the arrest "a conspiracy"
between the British authorities and Nigerian government and
"part of a grand plan to destabilize the Ijaws." The
Xinhua News Agency reported receipt of a press release from
President Jon-Jon, advising, "the British authorities and
their collaborators in the federal government of Nigeria to
immediately release our No. 1 citizen, otherwise we cannot
continue to guarantee the safety of their investment and
citizens in our territories."
Asari Arrest Spurs IYC Reversal; Threats to Brits Back On
-------------- --------------


5. (C) According to an Ijaw youth leader, in response to
the
threats made against British interests and citizens in the
Delta,
police arrested Dokubo Asari, head of the Niger Delta
People's
Volunteer Force, in Port Harcourt. (Note: We have not
confirmed the arrest at this
point. End note.) He told us the threats against the
British were back in force,
as the GON was "not taking them seriously." The youth
leader claimed the Ijaw
people were now aligned against the GON in any attempts to
prosecute
Alamieyeseigha, and reiterated threats against the British.

British High Comissioner Responds to Arrest;
Emphasis on Cooperation with Nigerian Authorities
-------------- ---


6. (C) British Deputy High Commission Trade Manager Debbie
Fern
told us the arrest is a "joint operation" between the
British and Nigerian Governments. Fern confirmed for us the
IYC issued a
seven-day ultimatum to release the governor from detention,
and a one-month ultimatum to repatriate him to Nigeria.
Fern's
statements confirm press reports of a statement by High
Commissioner
Grozeny that the arrest came at the GON's behest.

British HC, Armorgroup, Advise Caution for British Citizens
-------------- --------------


7. (C) The security manager for the British High
Commission is advising British citizens and companies
operating
in the Niger Delta to exercise caution. The private security
firm Armourgroup,
which handles security for the British Mission as well as a
number of the petroleum companies, is monitoring
developments on the ground in Bayelsa. Armorgroup has
reported "tension and small protests," but does not expect
this to spread beyond Ijaw areas.

Industry Figures Concur on Governor's Reputation for
Graft, Close Connection to Ijaw Youth Groups
-------------- --------------


8. (C) Many in the public and the petroleum industry
would agree that Governor Alamieyeseigha has a reputation -
hardly unique among Nigerian governors - for graft.
Martin Hutchison, Managing Director of a potential
multi-billion investment in Bayelsa State, Brass LNG, told
us he has great difficulty meeting with the Governor, as
"he only seems to be in the state three days a month - the
day before the federal payment hits, the day the payment
hits, and the day after, when he divvies it up."
Hutchision also reported the industry view is
Governor Alamieyeseigha pays enormous sums to the Ijaw
youth groups for "protection." Hence, they are incensed at
his arrest and consequent threat to their livelihood.

Ijaw Threat Cannot be Ignored
--------------


9. (C) It remains a challenge to verify whether the
fractious Ijaw youth groups pose an imminent threat to
Nigeria's oil producing interests in Bayelsa state. We
would concur with a recent press analysis, which noted,
"Membership of Ijaw groups that fall under the umbrella of
the IYC remains fluid, and the continued proliferation of
renegade Ijaw groups in the Niger delta is likely to make
it difficult for the security forces to successfully track
and monitor their operations."

Comment
--------------


10. (C) The arrest of Governor Alamieyeseigha breaks new
ground in the anti-corruption battle in Nigeria. However,
much of the Nigerian public believes the process is highly
politicized, almost exclusively aimed at President Obasanjo's
political opponents. Over the long haul, the EFCC must
be seen as a neutral party, investigating both those within
the President's circle of support, as well as the
Presidential
doghouse. Meanwhile, already irascible Ijaw youth groups
are agitated more than normal. Unless the EFCC gains ground
in its quest to be seen as neutral, it risks failure in its
core mission, but also widening the chasm between ethnic
groups, and inciting new bouts of violence. Meanwhile,
many in the public would give at least a modest
nod towards the IYC President Jon-Jon's demand to know why
Obasanjo is not investigating his own close associates and
children for sleaze.
BROWNE