US embassy cable - 04ABUJA1366

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001366 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, KDEM, NI 
SUBJECT: TAKE LALONG 'WAY HOME: PLATEAU STATE SPEAKER NO 
LONGER "WANTED" BY POLICE 
 
REF: ABUJA 1318 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JAMES MAXSTADT FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) A 
ND (D) 
 
1. (C) Suspended Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker 
Simon Lalong called Poloff to say that he had turned himself 
in to the Police Commissioner in Jos, who had announced that 
Lalong was "wanted" (reftel).  The commissioner apologized 
and said it was "all a big misunderstanding."  Lalong said he 
is free to go home or travel without restrictions.  Comment: 
Media coverage of the commissioner's original announcement 
included speculation that the GON was trying to intimidate 
Lalong into dropping his legal challenges to the State of 
Emergency (SOE).  If this had been the strategy, media 
exposure likely prompted a quick change of those plans.  End 
Comment. 
 
2. (C) Lalong also told Poloff that the Abuja High Court had 
rescheduled from July 29 to September 16 the Plateau state 
Assembly members' lawsuit against their suspension.  Comment: 
 The six-month SOE is scheduled to expire November 18.  Given 
the slow pace of Nigeria's court system, justice delayed is 
likely to be justice no longer relevant.  End Comment. 
CAMPBELL