NIGERIA: FORMER EFCC OFFICIALS DEMOTED,

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001551 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL EFIN KCOR KCRM NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: FORMER EFCC OFFICIALS DEMOTED, QUESTIONED, ARRESTED REF: ABUJA 1331 Classified By: A/DCM Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. There have been three separate actions taken this week against former officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Press reported on August 6 that members of the State Security Service (SSS) visited the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) to arrest former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu. CDA spoke to Ribadu twice on August 6; he reported he was not arrested but was asked to appear for questioning at SSS headquarters on August 7. On August 5, 140 police officers, including Nuhu Ribadu, were demoted, allegedly because their promotions did not follow due process. As well, former Head of the EFCC Economic Governance Unit Ibrahim Magu was arrested on August 4, following allegations that police discovered EFCC files and a computer containing classified documents at his Abuja residence. Magu's Economic Governance Unit led the EFCC investigations into corrupt governors, including former Delta Governor James Ibori and current Governor Bukola Saraki. Magu is a recipient of USG and London Metropolitan Police institute training. The three incidents, occurring in the space of just two days, are leading critics to question the Yar'Adua administration's commitment to fighting corruption. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Three separate incidents involving former officials of the EFCC have occurred over the span of just two days. On August 4, members of the SSS reportedly visited the NIPPS to arrest former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu. (Note: Ribadu has been attending executive training at NIPPS since December 2007). CDA spoke to Ribadu twice on August 6. Early on August 6 when CDA spoke to Ribadu, he reported he had not been arrested but could not talk as he was in a meeting. CDA noted that Ribadu and those around him were laughing and seemed in good spirits. CDA spoke to Ribadu again late in the day and he confirmed that he had not been arrested. Ribadu said he was asked to report to SSS headquarters in Abuja August 7 for further questioning, which he plans to do. He told CDA he does not feel he is in imminent danger of arrest. ¶3. (C) On August 5, the Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC) announced the demotion of 140 police officers, alleging that their promotions did not follow due process. Among those demoted was former EFCC Chairman Ribadu, who was demoted from Assistant Inspector General to Deputy Commissioner -- a two-step demotion. The PSC maintains that the promotions were not based on established criteria (including seniority, merit, time in rank, completion of promotion course, and passing of a promotion exam) and were a breach of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Service Commission Act. Ribadu told CDA on August 6 he plans to keep quiet and not challenge the demotion, although he does not feel it is justified. Secretary to the EFCC Emmanuel Akomaye told Poloff on August 6 that the demotions were initiated and carried out within the Police, not by the EFCC, and that the EFCC could not comment on police matters. Akomaye maintained that Ribadu was the only name on the list with a connection to the EFCC. (Note: Names of several other high-ranking police officials who were demoted were included in press reports. None of the other names were immediately known to the Mission. We will, however, continue to check on the composition of the list. End Note.) ¶4. (C) On August 4, former EFCC Economic Governance Unit Head Ibrahim Magu was reportedly arrested following searches of his Abuja and Lagos residences which reportedly found EFCC case files and a computer with classified information. Magu was redeployed from the EFCC to the Police force on July 4 (reftel) and was serving as Chief Superintendent at Ado, Ekiti State at the time of his arrest. Although press reports alleged the EFCC carried out the arrest, EFCC Secretary Akomaye told Poloff on August 6 that the investigation, search and arrest were all handled within the Police and that the EFCC (once again) could not comment on police matters. Meanwhile, EFCC Chief of External Relations Mohammed Bamalli (strictly protect),a trusted Embassy contact within the EFCC, told Poloff he knows Magu well and cannot believe that Magu, whom he termed a "skilled professional," would keep files at home. Bamalli told Poloff he plans to meet Magu late on August 6 and will relay what he learns to Poloff. Post will report any information from Bamalli septel. ¶5. (C) Comment. The confluence of events in the course of a few days, with the appointment of Ibori's former Commissioner of Finance as Principal Secretary to the President, the questioning of Ribadu, Ribadu's demotion and Magu's arrest, does not bode well for the Administration's commitment to fighting corruption. The thread that runs through all of them is former Delta Governor James Ibori, the target of major corruption and money laundering probes by the EFCC and British Metropolitan police. Ibori was believed by many to be the driving force behind Ribadu's removal from the EFCC and Waziri's appointment. Antony Goldman, independent energy consultant and former Economist Financial Intelligence Unit Africa Analyst, told Poloff a few weeks ago that, during a recent phone conversation, a cheerful Ibori commented that "Ribadu will be in jail before I ever will be." End Comment. PIASCIK