NIGERIA: NEW EFCC CHAIR AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001079

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV EFIN KCOR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW EFCC CHAIR AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO
FIGHT CORRUPTION

REF: A. ABUJA 946

B. ABUJA 898

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador Sanders paid a courtesy call on
newly confirmed (June 5) Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) Chairwoman Farida Waziri on June 10, where
she underscored the importance the U.S. places on the EFCC
maintaining its vigor and fight against corruption, noting
that the U.S. had concerns given all the recent changes at
the Commission. Waziri stressed her commitment to
anti-corruption efforts and her hopes to continue the
capacity building programs that the U.S. has with the EFCC.
She acknowledged that recent press reports regarding her
appointment had likely caused significant concern in the
international community, but wanted to reassure the U.S.
through the Ambassador that these allegations were not true
and that she was committed to actively working to advance
Nigeria's anti-graft war. Waziri came across on the surface
as wanting to maintain the EFCC's focus, and also advance it
to become a strong institution. Ultimately, however, the
true test of Waziri's commitment will be in how she handles
ongoing high profile EFCC investigations and whether the EFCC
moves forward or stalls. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Nigerian Senate on June 5 confirmed former
Assistant Inspector General of Police Farida Waziri as the
new Chairwoman of the EFCC after a contentious two weeks of
allegations and counter-allegations regarding her fitness for
the position based on her past connections to some
ex-governors under investigation. (NOTE: On May 17, former
Senator and 2007 Action Party (AC) Vice Presidential
candidate Ben Ndi Obi told PolOffs he believes Waziri will go
after the "big fish," including former President Obasanjo.
Obi contended that Obasanjo was so worried by Waziri's
nomination that he actively lobbied against it. END NOTE.)
Waziri's appointment effectively ends any speculation that
the previous EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, would be returned to
the post following his 9-month study tour.


3. (C) Ambassador Sanders paid a courtesy call on Waziri on
June 10, stressing that the call was meant to underscore the
USG's concern about the EFCC as well as its desire to ensure
that our capacity building programs on the anti-corruption
fight would still be accepted and go forward. The Ambassador
expressed the U.S. expectation that the EFCC will continue to
pursue its investigations and fight corruption with the same
vigor and commitment it has shown in the past under former
Chairman Ribadu and acting Chair Lamorde. She stressed the
need to support the EFCC as an institution, building capacity
that is independent of personality. Ambassador Sanders
briefly outlined ongoing USG cooperation with the EFCC and
expressed hope that our programs with the organization will
continue to expand and deepen under Waziri's Chairmanship.
She invited the EFCC under Waziri to participate in
anti-corruption working groups under the U.S.-Nigerian
bilateral Framework for Partnership program, which includes
technical assistance on anti-fraud investigation, as well as
discussions on the need for automated databases on criminal
elements that would help overall to reduce graft.


4. (C) Waziri thanked the Ambassador for the visit, noting
that the Ambassador was her first official visitor as
Chairwoman -- a sign, Waziri observed, of U.S. support for
Nigeria's fight against corruption. Waziri affirmed her
commitment to anti-corruption efforts, expressing her desire
to protect the sovereign wealth of the nation by ensuring
that it is not used for illicit enrichment by those who do
not have the best interest of the country at heart. She
noted examples of her past work in the police force where she
had played a key role in having monies that had been
laundered through Germany returned to Nigeria, where she was
involved in the protection of the German national who was
brought back to provide evidence in the case. She noted
recent allegations in the press regarding her bona fides for
this appointment, recognizing the serious concern that these

ABUJA 00001079 002 OF 002


allegations have caused both domestically and among Nigeria's
international community anti-corruption partners, such as the
U.S. Waziri maintained, however, that they were nothing more
than allegations, saying "This is newspapers... They don't
care who they offend or misrepresent." (NOTE: Although she
dismissed the reports as "allegations," she never explicitly
denied nor refuted any of the charges of impropriety leveled
by the press. She allowed the entire meeting with the
Ambassador to be covered by her internal press office. END
NOTE.)


5. (C) Ambassador Sanders reiterated U.S. concern over the
EFCC, and shared with the new Chairwoman a schedule of
upcoming USG programs that are planned with the Commission,
noting that not only did we hope these could continue but
that there was also a strong desire to see the EFCC
strengthened. Waziri noted that she would look for continued
capacity building support and technical assistance from the
U.S.


6. (C) COMMENT. We still have grave concerns as noted in our
reporting (reftels) regarding Waziri's questionable ties to
Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki (PDP),the Saraki family,
former Delta Governor James Ibori (PDP),and former Benue
Governor and current Senator George Akume (PDP) -- all of
whom have cases or ties in some form or another before the
EFCC. These connections will continue to make her suspect
until we see how these are handled. In addition, despite
Waziri's testimony to the Nigerian Senate that she did not
stand surety for Senator Akume, online blog Sahara Reporters
(we recognize that blogs can be incorrect in what they
report) has posted purported copies of Akume's passport that
were signed: "original passport of Senator George Akume
collected by me. Chief Farida Waziri, AIG rtd." dated 8
November 2007. Ultimately however, the true test of Waziri's
commitment to fighting corruption will be the extent to which
she proceeds with EFCC cases against Ibori, the Saraki
family, Akume, and other "big fish" currently under
investigation and whether the EFCC is as robust as it was
under Ribadu. END COMMENT.
SANDERS