NIGERIA: SEEKS INCREASED COOPERATION DURING INL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002439 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SUSAN SNYDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2017 TAGS: KCRM KJUS ECON PGOV SNAR NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: SEEKS INCREASED COOPERATION DURING INL A/S VISIT Classified By: Charge d'Affaires for reasons 1.4 (b & d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary. During INL Assitant Secretary (A/S) Thomas Schweich,s November 4-6 visit to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, GON Law Enforcement Officials expressed a strong interest in increasing bilateral cooperation and an equally strong desire for a strengthened relationship in order to tackle the daunting issues of drugs, crime and corruption faced by their country. The Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement Director General praised the USG for equipment donations, pointing to increased interdiction rates as a direct result. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman Ribadu also expressed appreciation for USG assistance, adding that both public and private USG recognition for the accomplishments made in the fight against corruption in recent years. Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Director Okauru discussed recent NFIU accomplishments and the unit's desire to serve as a standard-bearer for West Africa. Finally, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Nigerian Police Force (NFP) requested additional training to increase the NFP,s role in fighting drug trafficking and money laundering END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) During his November 4-6 visit to Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, INL A/S Thomas Schweich met with Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Director General (DG) Lanre Ipinmisho, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Malan Nuhu Ribadu, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Director A. B. Okauru and Nigerian Police Force Deputy Inspector General O. Onovo. A/S Schweich was accompanied by his staff assistant and INLOff to all meetings. Charge d'Affaires Lisa Piascik and PolOff also participated in the meeting with the EFCC Chairman. EconOff attended the NFIU meeting. DRUG ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AT NIGERIAN AIRPORTS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Director General (DG) Lanre Ipinmisho gave A/S Schweich an extended tour of Lagos Airport. The DG stated that, as the principal international port of entry, Lagos Airport is a major transshipment point for drugs -- as couriers try to exploit perceived weak security protocols. However, due to USG equipment donations for the detection of trace elements of drugs and explosives, NDLEA has successfully been able to interdict a significant number of couriers. In fact, during the brief tour, A/S Schweich witnessed the custodial interrogation by the DG of six suspected drug couriers that were interdicted that morning on flights heading to Europe and Asia. The custodial interrogations revealed that a significant number of couriers are being recruited through very anonymous intermediaries who exploit their desperate circumstances such as infirmity, sickness, or poverty by offering vast sums of money for transporting illicit drugs (usually cocaine or heroin) to their counterparts in Europe and Asia. The primary method of concealment is the surreptitious ingestion of packets of drugs. Once detained, NDLEA officials medically examine the suspects through the use X-ray machines or, alternatively, simply wait for the excretion of the packets. However, these two methods of detection are exceedingly risky and laborious. A/S Schweich commended NDLEA's efforts to interdict drug couriers exploiting Nigerian airports and informed them that INL has procured two state of the art body cavity scanners for Lagos and Abuja and four new drug/explosives detecting devices to assist in deterring the use of these airports by drug mules through their conspicuous use. A/S Schweich further committed to increasing cooperation between Nigerian and US law enforcement at the highest levels. EFCC COMBATTING CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC CRIMES -------------- - ¶4. (C) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ribadu responded to A/S Schweich,s calls for increased bilateral cooperation and a strengthened relationship by praising the quality of training the EFCC has received from the U.S. and asking for U.S. support and recognition of the positive changes that have been occurring in Nigeria. Ribadu blamed weak institutions, mismanagement and a compromised judicial system for Nigeria,s rampant corruption and resulting high levels of international crime, including drug transit. He noted that significant efforts have been made over the past five years to strengthen Nigerian institutions, most notably the judicial system, and these efforts are starting to pay off. Ribadu urged A/S Schweich to help the USG identify and support those within the Nigerian government working for positive change. A/S Schweich noted that strengthening our bilateral partnership with Nigeria is a priority, citing Nigeria's role as a leader in the African region in its fight against corruption and crime. A/S Schweich urged Ribadu to consider the possibility of partially US-funded EFCC support to anti-corruption efforts in neighboring countries. Ribadu stated the EFCC is looking at opportunities to work through the West African Anti-Money Laundering Group (WAAMLG) to expand EFCC programs throughout the region. ¶5. (C) As the discussion shifted to the specific areas of critical need, A/S Schweich noted the role of the Nigerian ports in Nigeria,s emergence as a leading drug transit nation. Ribadu said he is interested in working with the NDLEA to crack down on those who support or assist, i.e., ship owners and shipping companies. Ribadu reiterated his appreciation for U.S. training, noting it is the best in the world. He expressed his pleasure that the EFCC is working closely with the Department of Justice on recovering U.S.-held assets of individuals under investigation and asked for training in how best to work within the U.S. system to improve asset tracking and recovery. In response to a question from INLOff, Ribadu expressed keen interest in asset management training ) turning to his staff and saying, &let,s make this a first priority.8 According to Ribadu, the EFCC has sufficient in-country facilities and resources to leverage a train-the-trainer program by using local facilities to reach larger numbers of law enforcement officials (both Nigerian and foreign) for less money. Ribadu also said he had delivered this message in his visit to Washington, DC earlier in the month, and reiterated to the A/S his request for used armored cars, body armor, and arms. ¶6. (C) In response to Charge d,Affaires' question regarding a recent reported assassination attempt on EFCC Chief of Staff Dapo Oloyunromi, Ribadu replied that &we are committed to our work. We try to downplay danger because it's defeatist.8 Ribadu was adamant that the incident should not have been in the press, noting that it only encourages criminals to believe their intimidation is working. He said the EFCC has lost a couple of EFCC operatives in the past. He maintained the attempt on Oloyunromi could have been because of the job or could be something else. He noted, however, that the EFCC is fighting very powerful people and a paid assassin can be hired for as little as USD 50. NFIU FIGHT AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING -------------- ¶7. (U) Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Director ¶A. B. Okauru gave a brief history of the NFIU. He spoke about the impact of the initial advisory issued by U.S. Department of Treasury, s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) on Nigerian financial institution,s ability to transact business internationally. However, since the advisory in 2001, the NFIU was created under the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004 and has worked aggressively to get FINCEN to withdraw its advisory and to successfully remove Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of non cooperative countries. The NFIU subsequently became a member of the prestigious Egmont Group and can now share and receive intelligence information from any member FIU in the world. Since its inception two years ago, the NFIU has over 200 convictions under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2004 -- primarily relating to public corruption, drugs and "419" (advance fee fraud) scams. ¶8. (U) Okauru emphasized that because of the changing modus operandi of money laundering networks and the constant relocation of activities to other more vulnerable countries in the subregion, the NFIU has taken on the role of a regional standard bearer and assists other countries to establish effective FIUs. The NFIU is one of four FIU,s in Africa (Egypt, Mauritius and South Africa). As the West African standard bearer, the NFIU hopes to establish a regional anti-money laundering framework. The NFIU also seeks more collaborative work with USG law enforcement agencies to identify and dismantle new drug trafficking networks and share intelligence. A/S Schweich indicated that large quantities of Colombian cocaine and Afghan heroin are now transiting through the region to destinations in Europe and North America, adding that the USG stands ready to train West African countries to take corrective action and will continue to assist NFIU by providing experts for the FINCEN/NFIU Mentoring Program. Okuaru thanked A/S Schweich for funding the Mentoring Program and noted that although there is no stand alone legislation on terrorist financing yet, the NFIU seeks to take the lead in tracking terrorism networks and their assets as well. ¶9. (C) Okauru indicated that NFIU,s gains, although significant, may not necessarily be lasting as he noted a changed political terrain where 95% of Ministers are new and the NFIU has to start over with politicians that do not have the background to deal with NFIU,s issues. In point, Okuaru noted that due to his lack of governmental experience, the new Attorney General (AG) has challenged other agencies, ability to prosecute cases under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. (NOTE: The State House Counsel ruled that although the AG is the Chief Prosecutor, other agencies such as the EFCC and NFIU have the delegated authority to pursue the prosecution financial crime cases under the Act.) Okauru also acknowledged that there are strong links between drug and arms trafficking networks in the Delta which have become a major source of money supply for militants, and that there is a clear nexus to South African paramilitary forces. NPF: ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING TRAINING NEEDED -------------- ¶10. (U) Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) O. Onovo emphasized the need for the NPF to receive additional basic investigative training in order to fight a violent crime wave that has been brought on by increased flows of drugs. He also requested training to do more sophisticated financial investigations in order to dismantle well financed criminal networks. He noted that only by working together to develop the capacity of the NPF to do this type of ground work, can the US and Nigeria both control the flow drugs and reduce violent crime. In fact, Onovo indicated that drugs have affected every strata of Nigerian society as the incidence of drug use increases and criminal networks become more violent to control their territory. Every type of crime is on the increase and the level of violence is unsurpassed. The proceeds of drugs are being used to fund the firearms trade. Nigeria is now the hub of transnational crime networks in Africa. ¶11. (SBU) Onovo stated that much remains to done to assist the police. He indicated that under the Obasanjo regime, the NPF received a clean bill of health. He also indicated that NPF wants to develop a close relationship with the USG. As an NDLEA officer prior to coming to the NPF, he observed the high level of assistance given by the USG and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in order to refurbish the NDLEA,s Jos training Academy. He said that the NPF wants a similar level of assistance. He noted that, while NDLEA and the EFCC are awash with assistance funds, the police, who are key in the reduction of crime and violence due to their large numbers (350,000 officers) and their countrywide presence, have been neglected. He suggested that police should be allowed to seize property from suspected criminals and that the burden of proof should remain with the owner of the property to show that it was not acquired with the proceeds of criminal activity. He also indicated that police should receive IT/cybercrime training. He requested funding for equipment, especially for detecting drugs. He admitted that most of his officers could not distinguish between heroin and cocaine. Onovo said that police are present at all borders both green (land) and blue (sea),including the airports, and monitor the flow of contraband and people. Police are also present in every major intersection and patrol all the highways. Police can assist all types of criminal investigations by talking to their sources and detecting networks. He noted that police would like to cooperate more effectively with other Nigerian law enforcement agencies, especially the NDLEA and the EFCC to dismantle major crime networks. However,police need training to conduct undercover operations and to conduct controlled deliveries in sting operations. He also would like funding for the police public affairs office to conduct anti-drug campaigns targeted at schools and community centers. ¶12. (U) A/S Schweich noted that the needs of the NPF are great. He expressed support for developing the capacity of the NPF to dismantle crime networks. He stated that INLOff is available to discuss new training initiatives. PIASCIK