Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1543
2008-08-05 16:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: GON BALANCING BAKASSI HANDOVER, COURT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3962
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1543 2181634
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051634Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3576
INFO RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0323
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 9728
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001543 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GON BALANCING BAKASSI HANDOVER, COURT
ORDER

REF: ABUJA 1494

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001543

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS PHSA NI CM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GON BALANCING BAKASSI HANDOVER, COURT
ORDER

REF: ABUJA 1494

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Cheryl Fernandes for reasons
1.4. (b & d).


1. (C) On July 31, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an
injunction to postpone the August 14 scheduled handover to
Cameroon of the disputed Bakassi Peninsula, pending
resolution of a suit to stop the transfer or compensate
residents. Poloff spoke on August 4 to Special Advisor to
the President for Communications Olusegun Adeniyi (strictly
protect),who said President Yar'Adua is "very unhappy about
the court decision." Adeniyi explained that Yar'Adua is in a
political "Catch 22." He cannot disregard the court order
(especially given his administration's public commitment to
rule of law) and he cannot disregard the International Court
of Justice ruling and Greentree agreement which call for the
handover. Adeniyi told Poloff that Yar'Adua remains
committed to the August 14 handover and told his staff to
"find a way" to make it happen.


2. (C) Deputy Director of Protocol for the President, Yah'ya
Shuaib (strictly protect) told Poloff on August 4 that
Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice Michael
Aondoakaa is trying to find a way around the Federal Court
order. Aondoakaa suggested the same in a brief exchange with
CDA on August 5. (Comment: According to legal observers,
this may not be easy, especially since the default position
for the Nigerian courts is always to delay. We will attempt
to find out more from the AG or members of his staff
regarding the GON's strategy for getting around the court
order. End Comment.)


3. (C) Comment. The GON's commitment to the Greentree
agreement and the August 14 handover appears to be firm;
however, the Abuja High Court decision may be a hiccup the
GON cannot quickly fix. It is certainly possible that the
court case could lead to a delay. We have repeatedly
stressed to the GON the importance we place in Nigeria living
up to its commitments under Greentree, and completing the
withdrawal on time. Any delay would, in our view, increase
the risk that Bakassi could become a locus for significant
security problems which would affect both Nigerian and
Cameroon. End Comment.
PIASCIK