US embassy cable - 04ABUJA2029

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Identifier:	04ABUJA2029
Wikileaks:	View 04ABUJA2029 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Abuja
Created:	2004-12-09 12:30:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	PGOV MCAP NI POLMIL
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS ABUJA 002029 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, MCAP, NI, POLMIL 
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION 
 
1.  Minister of Defense Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been 
indicted by the Kano State government based on the findings 
of a judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state to 
investigate allegations of corruption.  Kwankaso stands 
accused in the disappearance of approximately 1 billion 
Naira (USD 7.5M) in ecological and security funds during his 
tenure as Governor of Kano State.  The state government has 
directed the state Ministry of Justice to refer the case to 
the federal Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 
to help recover the money. 
 
2.  Reacting to the indictment, Kwankwaso said the 
commission was created by Governor Shekarau, from the 
opposition ANPP, who defeated Kwankwaso in 2003, to 
discredit him and the record of his Kano administration. 
Kwankwaso is pursuing a legal challenge to this indictment, 
contending that the commission is unconstitutional and 
illegal.  Sitting Ministers and Governors are immune from 
prosecution while in office. 
 
3.  The former Kano State Finance Commissioner under 
Kwankwaso, Dr. Hafizu Abubakar, was also indicted by the 
judicial commission for diverting 63 million Naira (USD475k) 
meant for student allowances into political campaigns. 
 
 
CAMPBELL