US embassy cable - 04ABUJA979

UNCLAS ABUJA 000979 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, NI 
SUBJECT: ICPC REINSTATES MINISTERIAL CORRUPTION CHARGES, 
RE-ARRESTS THE ACCUSED 
 
REF: ABUJA 974 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, NOT FOR PUBLICATION ON THE 
INTERNET OR INTRANET. 
 
1. (SBU) Soon after corruption charges were withdrawn against 
the five senior GON ex-officials on June 2 (reftel), they 
were re-arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices 
Commission (ICPC).  They were brought to the Abuja High Court 
on June 3, and indicted on a new 19-count charge.  All of 
them pleaded not guilty and were bailed.  The next hearing 
was set for July 20th. 
 
2. (SBU) The "new" 19 charges are not substantially different 
from the previous 16-count charge.  The accused were split 
up, however, into three groups.  Sacked Labor Minister 
Husseini Akwanga, ex-Internal Affairs Ministry PermSec Ms. 
Turie Akerele and former PDP National scribe Okwesilieze 
Nwodo were charged in one group.  Former Minister Mohammed 
Shata will be tried separately, as will former Interior 
Ministry Director Christopher Agidi.  When asked to comment 
on why the accused are divided into 3 groups, one defense 
counsel opined that "probably the prosecution would like to 
use some of them as principal witnesses." 
CAMPBELL