US embassy cable - 05LAGOS1463

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 LAGOS 001463 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY 
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER 
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD 
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART 
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT 
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER 
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR SLISER 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2015 
TAGS: EPET, PGOV, ASEC, NI 
SUBJECT: LONDON POLICE ARREST BAYELSA GOVERNOR, IJAW YOUTH 
THREATEN RETALIATION; ASARI REPORTEDLY ARRESTED 
 
 
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E) 
 
Summary 
--------- 
 
1.  (C)  The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes 
Commission (EFCC) confirmed its cooperation with UK 
authorities on 
Bayelsa State Governor Alamieyesiegha's September 15 London 
arrest 
in connection with allegations of money laundering. 
The London Metropolitan police have reportedly 
released the Governor, but seized his passport to 
prevent his return to Nigeria, pending his appearance 
at a November hearing.  The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) 
threatened British oil interests and citizens in the 
Delta region unless the Governor was allowed to 
return home.  The IYC renewed these threats upon 
unconfirmed news of the arrest of Niger Delta People's 
Volunteer Force leader Asari.  The British High Commission 
is advising British citizens and companies 
operating in the Niger Delta to exercise caution, and 
he private security firms contracted by 
petroleum firms are advising vigilance. 
 
Governor Alamieyesiegha's Arrest; 
EFCC Worked with London Police on Case 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
2.  (SBU)  The Nigerian newspapers devoted their front page 
to 
Governor Alamieyesiegha's September 15 London arrest in 
connection 
with allegations of money laundering.  The Nigerian Economic 
and 
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) noted in a public 
statement, 
"The EFCC wishes to state that the commission is fully in the 
picture of the on-going investigation while it has a close 
relationship with the Metropolitan Police and other law 
enforcement agencies around the world."  The EFCC also 
indicated 
seven London banks accounts have been traced to 
Alamieyesiegha. 
Some press reports indicate President Obasanjo is pushing 
for Alamieyesiegha's trial in London, where he would not 
enjoy 
immunity from prosecution, as he does in Nigeria. 
On September 20, Nigerian media reported President Obasanjo 
had convened a meeting with the state governors to lecture 
them on 
the "consequences of continued involvement in corrupt 
practices," 
pointing to its deleterious impact on Nigeria's 
socio-economic development. 
 
Bayelsa State Financial Officials Targeted, Questioned 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
3.  (SBU)  Alamieyeseigha's arrest appears to 
be the culmination of increased scrutiny of Bayelsa 
state officials.  In the last week, the Bayelsa Finance 
Commissioner, 
Accountant-General and Government House accountant, 
reportedly have been questioned by the EFCC. 
 
IYC Calls Arrest a Conspiracy Between British, 
Nigerian Governments to De-Stabilize Ijaws 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
4.  (SBU)  Press reports indicate the IYC President, 
"Comrade" Oyeinfie Jon-Jon called the arrest "a conspiracy" 
between the British authorities and Nigerian government and 
"part of a grand plan to destabilize the Ijaws."  The 
Xinhua News Agency reported receipt of a press release from 
President Jon-Jon, advising, "the British authorities and 
their collaborators in the federal government of Nigeria to 
immediately release our No. 1 citizen, otherwise we cannot 
continue to guarantee the safety of their investment and 
citizens in our territories." 
Asari Arrest Spurs IYC Reversal; Threats to Brits Back On 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
5.  (C)  According to an Ijaw youth leader, in response to 
the 
threats made against British interests and citizens in the 
Delta, 
police arrested Dokubo Asari, head of the Niger Delta 
People's 
Volunteer Force, in Port Harcourt.  (Note: We have not 
confirmed the arrest at this 
point.  End note.)  He told us the threats against the 
British were back in force, 
as the GON was "not taking them seriously."   The youth 
leader claimed the Ijaw 
people were now aligned against the GON in any attempts to 
prosecute 
Alamieyeseigha, and reiterated threats against the British. 
 
British High Comissioner Responds to Arrest; 
Emphasis on Cooperation with Nigerian Authorities 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
6.  (C)  British Deputy High Commission Trade Manager Debbie 
Fern 
told us the arrest is a "joint operation" between the 
British and Nigerian Governments.  Fern confirmed for us the 
IYC issued a 
seven-day ultimatum to release the governor from detention, 
and a one-month ultimatum to repatriate him to Nigeria. 
Fern's 
statements confirm press reports of a statement by High 
Commissioner 
Grozeny that the arrest came at the GON's behest. 
 
British HC, Armorgroup, Advise Caution for British Citizens 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
7.  (C)  The security manager for the British High 
Commission is advising British citizens and companies 
operating 
in the Niger Delta to exercise caution.  The private security 
firm Armourgroup, 
which handles security for the British Mission as well as a 
number of the petroleum companies, is monitoring 
developments on the ground in Bayelsa.  Armorgroup has 
reported "tension and small protests," but does not expect 
this to spread beyond Ijaw areas. 
 
Industry Figures Concur on Governor's Reputation for 
Graft, Close Connection to Ijaw Youth Groups 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
8.  (C)  Many in the public and the petroleum industry 
would agree that Governor Alamieyeseigha has a reputation - 
hardly unique among Nigerian governors - for graft. 
Martin Hutchison, Managing Director of a potential 
multi-billion investment in Bayelsa State, Brass LNG, told 
us he has great difficulty meeting with the Governor, as 
"he only seems to be in the state three days a month - the 
day before the federal payment hits, the day the payment 
hits, and the day after, when he divvies it up." 
Hutchision also reported the industry view is 
Governor Alamieyeseigha pays enormous sums to the Ijaw 
youth groups for "protection."  Hence, they are incensed at 
his arrest and consequent threat to their livelihood. 
 
Ijaw Threat Cannot be Ignored 
--------------------------------------- 
 
9.  (C)  It remains a challenge to verify whether the 
fractious Ijaw youth groups pose an imminent threat to 
Nigeria's oil producing interests in Bayelsa state.  We 
would concur with a recent press analysis, which noted, 
"Membership of Ijaw groups that fall under the umbrella of 
the IYC remains fluid, and the continued proliferation of 
renegade Ijaw groups in the Niger delta is likely to make 
it difficult for the security forces to successfully track 
and monitor their operations." 
 
Comment 
-------- 
 
10.  (C)  The arrest of Governor Alamieyeseigha breaks new 
ground in the anti-corruption battle in Nigeria.  However, 
much of the Nigerian public believes the process is highly 
politicized, almost exclusively aimed at President Obasanjo's 
political opponents.  Over the long haul, the EFCC must 
be seen as a neutral party, investigating both those within 
the President's circle of support, as well as the 
Presidential 
doghouse.  Meanwhile, already irascible Ijaw youth groups 
are agitated more than normal.  Unless the EFCC gains ground 
in its quest to be seen as neutral, it risks failure in its 
core mission, but also widening the chasm between  ethnic 
groups, and inciting new bouts of violence.  Meanwhile, 
many in the public would give at least a modest 
nod towards the IYC President Jon-Jon's demand to know why 
Obasanjo is not investigating his own close associates and 
children for sleaze. 
BROWNE