Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA326
2009-02-23 16:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

(C) NIGERIA: NAPTIP'S NEW LEADER CAUSES CONCERN

Tags:  PHUM PGOV KTIP NI 
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PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #0326/01 0541611
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231611Z FEB 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5352
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0072
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1705
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0671
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RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
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RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000326 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA, GTIP FOR VZEITLIN
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
DOJ ICITAP FOR GSCAPPINI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KTIP NI
SUBJECT: (C) NIGERIA: NAPTIP'S NEW LEADER CAUSES CONCERN

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000326

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA, GTIP FOR VZEITLIN
BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH
DOJ ICITAP FOR GSCAPPINI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KTIP NI
SUBJECT: (C) NIGERIA: NAPTIP'S NEW LEADER CAUSES CONCERN

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Carol Ndaguba, Executive Secretary of the
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons
(NAPTIP),was "officially retired" on February 19 and
replaced by Simon Egede, a close confidante to the Minister
of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)
Michael Aondoakaa. (Note: NAPTIP is a government agency that
falls under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. End
Note.) The news came as a shock to Ndaguba as well as the
many stakeholders in Abuja who have had a close working
relationship with NAPTIP over the past five years. According
to Ndaguba, Egede has no experience with trafficking in
persons (TIP) issues or running a law enforcement agency.
Ndaguba, other foreign Embassies, and NGOs have all voiced
concern about the future of NAPTIP under the new leadership.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) During a January 29 meeting with Poloff, Carol Ndaguba
had mentioned that she would be retiring within the calendar
year because she was about to turn 65. Ndaguba had believed,
however, that her retirement was still some months off, time
she was hoping to use to prepare a credible replacement. She
noted that Minister of Justice Aondoakaa would likely try to
appoint "one of his guys" as the new Executive Secretary, a
possibility which she viewed as problematic for the agency,
given the rampant corruption within his Ministry. Ndaguba
recalled that Aondoakaa had repeatedly tried to coerce her
into hiring colleagues of his, and that she upset him and
others by refusing to do so. She had insisted, however, she
would not hire unqualified people to work at NAPTIP, since
maintaining the reputation of the agency was one of her top
priorities.


3. (C) On February 20, the Nigerian press reported that
Ndaguba had been "fired." When Poloff reached her later that
day, Ndaguba confirmed that she had been "officially retired"
by the AGF on the previous day, February 19. She told Poloff
she was surprised by the timing of the AGF's decision and
saddened that she was not consulted before a new Executive
Sec was appointed. When asked about her replacement,
Simon Egede, Ndaguba said she had not yet met him; but noted
that he was a Special Assistant and Attorney for Aondoakaa.
(Comment: Although Post has had no previous contact with
Egede, we believe him to be a close confidante of the AGF.
Egede comes from Benue State, same as Aondoakaa, and was Lead
Counsel for him in the wrongful dismissal case brought by
Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC). End comment.) Ndaguba added that
Egede had no particular experience dealing with trafficking
in persons or running a law enforcement agency and she was
concerned about the future of NAPTIP under the new
leadership. When Poloff spoke to contacts from foreign
Embassies and NGOs who have worked with NAPTIP over the past
few years about the situation, they all expressed shock over
the suddenness of Ndaguba's "retirement" and shared similar
concerns about Egede's lack of experience and ties to the
AGF.


4. (C) COMMENT: We are concerned about NAPTIP's future now
that Aondoakaa has a tighter and more direct grip on the
agency. Although there are still a number of highly
respected officers within the senior leadership of NAPTIP
(particularly Director of Investigations Muhammad Babandede
and Director of Prosecutions U.S. Haruna),we will watch for
signs of increased corruption and decreased effectiveness,
similar to those we have seen with the EFCC's performance
over the past year. We will also watch closely to see if any
additional people are dismissed or reassigned and replaced by
others from Aondoakaa's network. Stakeholders in Abuja,
including foreign Embassies and NGOs, have agreed to meet in
the near future to discuss the implications of the change in
NAPTIP leadership, and post will make efforts to meet with
Egede in person to get a better read on these developments.
END COMMENT.


ABUJA 00000326 002 OF 002



5. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS