NIGERIA: NEW EFCC CHAIR APPOINTED, EX-GOVERNORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000898 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, INL DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON TREASURY FOR FINCEN AND INT'L E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV EFIN KCOR SNAR NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NEW EFCC CHAIR APPOINTED, EX-GOVERNORS RUMORED INVOLVED REF: A. 07 ABUJA 2082 ¶B. 07 ABUJA 1741 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Heather Merritt for reasons 1 .4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Federal Government announced the appointment of former Assistant Inspector General of Police Farida Mzamber Waziri as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 15. Waziri is well respected among law enforcement and was, in fact, the officer in charge who trained former Chairman Ribadu and immediate past Acting Chairman Lamorde. Critics allege that a group of former governors currently under investigation or charged with corruption is behind Waziri's appointment. Waziri must still be confirmed by the Senate, which (despite press reports to the contrary) may not be a fait accompli. In the final analysis, we must keep in mind that neither Waziri's credentials nor the impetus or origin of her appointment are as important as how Waziri actually performs once she holds the position. END SUMMARY. 2 (C) The Federal Government announced the appointment of Farida Mzamber Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police and author of the book "Advance Fee Fraud, National Security and the Law," as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 15. Waziri's name had circulated as early as December, when former EFCC Chair Nuhu Ribadu was sent to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies for executive training. Secretary to the EFCC Emmanuel Akomaye, a good contact of the Mission, will stay on in his position and it is believed (though not confirmed) that Ibrahim Lamorde, former Acting Chairman, will return to his position as Director of Operations. Lamorde is currently in Australia on business. Senior management of the EFCC met on May 16 and post will provide a readout of that meeting septel. ¶3. (C) Waziri is well-known in anti-corruption and law enforcement circles and generally highly respected. As the highest ranking woman in the Nigerian Police Force, she was Director of the Police Special Fraud Unit and trained both Ribadu and Lamorde in the 1990's. Waziri served in the Nigerian Police for 35 years and retired in 2000. A contact in the Police told INL Assistant that Waziri was chosen 
because she is retired and there was less concern that "she would get a big head." (NOTE: Ribadu was a serving AIG when he was appointed EFCC Chair.) Waziri holds a bachelors degree in law from the Nigerian Law School and two masters degrees (in Law and Strategic Studies) from the Universities of Lagos and Ibadan, respectively. ¶4. (C) Critics allege Waziri's appointment was orchestrated by former Delta Governor James Ibori, current Kwara Governor Bukola Saraki, former Abia Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, former Rivers Governor Peter Odili, former Jigawa Governor Taminu Turaki and Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa. (COMMENT: Ibori, Kalu, Odili and Turaki are all under investigation and/or charged with corruption. It is widely believed that Ibori was a large contributor to President Yar'Adua's campaign and there have been multiple allegations from many sources that Ibori has been applying pressure through Attorney General Aondoakaa to drop the investigation and charges against him (reftels). END COMMENT.) Rumors have also surfaced in the press that Waziri has been instructed to go after former President Obasanjo and his family in an attempt to refocus attention away from the former governors. ¶5. (C) Although press reports indicate her confirmation by the Senate may be a fait accompli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Narcotics, Financial Crimes & Anti-Corruption Sola Akinyede told POLOFF and INLOff that he was opposed to Waziri,s nomination because of her age and that her confirmation would "never make it through the Committee." He lamented that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC- Nigeria's other main anti-corruption body) is a ABUJA 00000898 002 OF 002 "gerontocracy," contributing to its ineffectuality, and said he would not allow the same to happen at the EFCC. ¶6. (C) COMMENT. In the final analysis, we must keep in mind that neither Waziri's credentials nor the impetus or origin of her appointment are as important as how Waziri eventually performs in the position. Given Nigeria's historical trend of personality-driven institutions, USG support for the institution of the EFCC (and not just the personality at its helm) is crucial. Waziri appears to be well qualified and respected among her law enforcement colleagues. Her age is a legitimate concern both in terms of the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the job and in the fact that she is part of the "old school" of Nigerian law enforcement. We should, however, be careful to reserve judgement. Even if the former governors were responsible for her appointment, what she does as EFCC Chair is her own decision. END COMMENT. SANDERS