US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2685

UNCLAS ABUJA 002685 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND IO 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, NI, UN 
SUBJECT: ILC BALLOT BID FOR NIGERIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL AND 
MINISTER OF JUSTICE CHIEF BOLA IGE 
 
 
1. This is an action request for IO and AF: see para 5. 
 
 
2. During an October 16 meeting with Nigeria's Attorney 
General and Minister of Justice Bola Ige, the Ambassador 
learned that Nigeria had nominated Ige for a seat on the 
International Law Commission (ILC) and has been lobbying for 
his candidacy for several months. 
 
 
3. Ige, 71, has been Attorney General and Minister of Justice 
since June 2000.  He has held numerous judicial and political 
offices in his career, including Governor of Oyo State 
(1979), Minister of Power and Steel in the current 
government, and several commissioner positions in the 
now-defunct Western state (1960s-70s).  A Senior Advocate of 
Nigeria (SAN), he has practiced law widely throughout 
Nigeria.  He holds a leading member of the Alliance for 
Democracy (AD)- one of Nigeria's three political parties - 
and is the deputy leader of "Afenifere," the Pan-Yoruba 
cultural association.  Though formally a member of the 
opposition, he is close to resident Obasanjo whme he has know 
since the 1960s. 
 
 
4. The Mission deals with Ige on a wide array of law 
enforcement and judicial issues. We find him to be one of our 
most capable and impressive interlocutors.  Ige is highly and 
broadly respected here.  We recommend the USG support his 
candidacy for the ILC.  If the USG can vote for him in the 
upcoming November 8 election at the UNGA, we should. We 
strongly endorse him based on his qualifications, influence 
and character. 
 
 
5. Action request for IO and AF: Please advise USG position 
on Ige's candidacy.  End action request. 
Jeter