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