US embassy cable - 01ABUJA2828

UNCLAS ABUJA 002828 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCOR, PTER, EFIN, PREL, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA TO IDENTIFY ACCOUNTS HELD BY ADDITIONAL 
FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS 
 
REF: (A) STATE 192004 (B) ABUJA 2793 
 
 
1. EconOff delivered Ref A information November 5 to Ernest 
Ebi, Deputy Governor for International Operations at the 
Central Bank of Nigeria.  Ebi agreed to add the list of 22 
organizations to an amended Call Circular, which requires all 
banks to identify accounts associated with these terrorist 
entities.  However, Ebi commented, the decision to freeze 
accounts of entities not directly connected with the 
September 11 attacks would be a political decision made by 
President Obasanjo. 
 
 
2. Ebi was pleased to report that, as of November 2, 50 of 
Nigeria's 89 banks had responded to the CBN Call Circular 
issued October 8 and amended October 17.  The Circular 
required all banks to identify and report on any accounts 
associated with the 66 entities pursuant to the September 23 
Executive Order and other designations by the Secretaries of 
State and Treasury.  None of the 50 respondent banks found 
terrorist-related accounts.  Ebi has agreed to full 
disclosure of any information uncovered through the CBN's 
investigation. 
Andrews