Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUJA1848
2008-09-11 15:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: A/S KRAMER AND DAS KRILLA MEET MINISTER
how-toVZCZCXRO0825 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #1848 2551532 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111532Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3953 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0369 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 9936 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 001848
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CASC NI AF
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: A/S KRAMER AND DAS KRILLA MEET MINISTER
OF INTERIOR
Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001848
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CASC NI AF
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: A/S KRAMER AND DAS KRILLA MEET MINISTER
OF INTERIOR
Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During a September 8-9 visit to Abuja,
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and
Labor, David J. Kramer and DAS Jeffrey Krilla met with
Minister of Interior Major-General Godwin Abbe to discuss
prison congestion and conditions, access to legal
representation and police training. A/S Kramer also relayed
his hope that the case surrounding Amcit Andrew Berends would
be resolved quickly. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In response to A/S Kramer's inquiry on progress with
prison congestion, Minister Abbe said they were developing a
long term plan as well as building new structures to house
the current inmates. Abbe added that the Attorney General
was working with State Chief Justices to release a large
number of prisoners who had already been held for long
periods awaiting trial. A/S Kramer queried the Minister on
detainees' ability to access legal representation. The
Minister assured A/S Kramer that no one was ever denied
access to a lawyer and there were a number of legal aid
lawyers who provided services to those who could not afford
representation.
3. (C) When asked about efforts to alleviate the difficult
conditions in prisons, the Minister insisted that allegations
of poor conditions were false and he "rejected completely"
such reports. Abbe stated that sufficient provisions were
provided to all prisoners and added that a recent report by
Amnesty International was greatly exaggerated. (NOTE:
Amnesty International noted in the report their attempt to
meet with the Minister of Interior to present the findings of
their visits to ten prisons; but the meeting was canceled by
the Ministry at the last minute. Furthermore, PolOff has
visited prisons in Nigeria and observed the overcrowding and
lack of facilities, beds and food. END NOTE.) The Minister
added that Amnesty International was unaware of
reconstruction going on at prisons throughout the country.
4. (C) In response to A/S Kramer's question on the capacity
of the police, Abbe responded that the investigative skills
and forensic competence of officers had been improved through
training. Abbe explained however, that most basic training
is focused on "building confidence and intelligence" in the
"constable on the street," so as to make their "patrol
environment uncomfortable for criminals." A/S Kramer asked
how the USG could be most helpful in providing additional
technical assistance, to which Abbe responded "tell us what
you can offer."
5. (C) A/S Kramer informed Abbe about his meeting earlier
that day with Amcit Andrew Berends, who was arrested in Port
Harcourt and later moved to Abuja. A/S Kramer added that he
understood the case could be resolved quickly, and asked for
Abbe's help in making that happen. (NOTE: Andrew Berends was
subsequently deported that night. END NOTE.)
6. (C) COMMENT: The Minister painted quite a rosy picture
despite recent reports and observations of police beatings
and deplorable prison conditions. If the Minister
responsible for the Nigeria Police Force and the 227 prisons
throughout Nigeria denies a problem exists, it is no wonder
there has been little progress in the way of reforms. END
COMMENT.
PFLAUMER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CASC NI AF
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: A/S KRAMER AND DAS KRILLA MEET MINISTER
OF INTERIOR
Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b &
d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During a September 8-9 visit to Abuja,
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and
Labor, David J. Kramer and DAS Jeffrey Krilla met with
Minister of Interior Major-General Godwin Abbe to discuss
prison congestion and conditions, access to legal
representation and police training. A/S Kramer also relayed
his hope that the case surrounding Amcit Andrew Berends would
be resolved quickly. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In response to A/S Kramer's inquiry on progress with
prison congestion, Minister Abbe said they were developing a
long term plan as well as building new structures to house
the current inmates. Abbe added that the Attorney General
was working with State Chief Justices to release a large
number of prisoners who had already been held for long
periods awaiting trial. A/S Kramer queried the Minister on
detainees' ability to access legal representation. The
Minister assured A/S Kramer that no one was ever denied
access to a lawyer and there were a number of legal aid
lawyers who provided services to those who could not afford
representation.
3. (C) When asked about efforts to alleviate the difficult
conditions in prisons, the Minister insisted that allegations
of poor conditions were false and he "rejected completely"
such reports. Abbe stated that sufficient provisions were
provided to all prisoners and added that a recent report by
Amnesty International was greatly exaggerated. (NOTE:
Amnesty International noted in the report their attempt to
meet with the Minister of Interior to present the findings of
their visits to ten prisons; but the meeting was canceled by
the Ministry at the last minute. Furthermore, PolOff has
visited prisons in Nigeria and observed the overcrowding and
lack of facilities, beds and food. END NOTE.) The Minister
added that Amnesty International was unaware of
reconstruction going on at prisons throughout the country.
4. (C) In response to A/S Kramer's question on the capacity
of the police, Abbe responded that the investigative skills
and forensic competence of officers had been improved through
training. Abbe explained however, that most basic training
is focused on "building confidence and intelligence" in the
"constable on the street," so as to make their "patrol
environment uncomfortable for criminals." A/S Kramer asked
how the USG could be most helpful in providing additional
technical assistance, to which Abbe responded "tell us what
you can offer."
5. (C) A/S Kramer informed Abbe about his meeting earlier
that day with Amcit Andrew Berends, who was arrested in Port
Harcourt and later moved to Abuja. A/S Kramer added that he
understood the case could be resolved quickly, and asked for
Abbe's help in making that happen. (NOTE: Andrew Berends was
subsequently deported that night. END NOTE.)
6. (C) COMMENT: The Minister painted quite a rosy picture
despite recent reports and observations of police beatings
and deplorable prison conditions. If the Minister
responsible for the Nigeria Police Force and the 227 prisons
throughout Nigeria denies a problem exists, it is no wonder
there has been little progress in the way of reforms. END
COMMENT.
PFLAUMER