US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2986

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002986 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
STATE FOR INL AND AF 
 
 
DEA FOR OFE -- TOM WADE 
 
 
E.O. 12598:  N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, NI 
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA: ADDITIONAL NARCOTICS CERTIFICATION 
NOTES 
 
REF:  ABUJA 02865 
 
 
1.  In addition to reftel's report card, Post wishes 
to provide the following information on Nigeria's drug 
control efforts. 
 
 
2. Major Traffickers: The initial report card 
submitted by Post (reftel) should be revised to show 
that Nigeria has arrested and is prosecuting at least 
one major trafficker.  In January 2002 NLDEA personnel 
at MMIA arrested a Nigeria Airways flight attendant 
and seized 1.7 kilograms of heroin.  An ensuing 
investigation by the NDLEA led to the arrest on April 
17, 2002 of Anthony Onyechesi, the trafficker 
providing the heroin for this and other shipments to 
the U.S.  The NDLEA also seized assets belonging to 
this trafficker, including four vehicles.  DEA 
confirms that Onyechesi is a significant trafficker. 
 
 
3. The Nigerian and Filipino cocaine traffickers 
arrested in connection with the August 27, 2001 
seizure of 60 kilograms of cocaine at Lagos' Tin Can 
Island Port, on October 25, 2002, were convicted on 
all three criminal counts with which they were charged 
and sentenced to nine years imprisonment.  They are 
currently serving their terms in Nigeria. 
 
 
4. Extraditions:  Attorney General Kanu Agabi is 
committed to the successful extradition of Nigerian 
fugitives to the U.S.  He has assigned the MOJ's most 
experienced extradition prosecutor to the US cases and 
has pledged to appear in court himself to argue the 
extradition cases.  He has consulted the new Chief 
Judge of the High Court, Rosaline Ukeje, for 
assistance in assigning competent judges to hear the 
U.S. extradition cases.  The MOJ has not established a 
formal extradition unit, but this informal system of 
giving U.S. extradition requests preferential 
treatment shows promise and unprecedented commitment. 
MOJ officials believe that the creation of a formal 
unit is inappropriate at this time given the modest 
workload of US extradition requests, though such a 
unit could be created if the pace picks up. 
 
 
5. The extradition case currently before the court -- 
Daniel Oruhiu -- opened in early October under a 
temporary judge who could not finish the case before 
she went on leave.  Therefore, the case last week was 
transferred back to the Chief Judge of the High Court, 
who assigned it to the "High Court Annex #2" on 
October 28, 2002.  The judge's name will be known 
shortly and proceedings should commence shortly. 
 
 
Asset Forfeiture 
---------------- 
 
 
6.  The NDLEA Chairman recently submitted a proposal 
to the President, asking that the NDLEA be allowed to 
keep a percentage of the proceeds from drug 
traffickers' assets forfeited and auctioned off by the 
NDLEA. 
 
 
7.  In the prosecution of the Nigerian and Filipino 
traffickers associated with the August 27, 2001 
seizure of 60 kilograms of heroin (para 3), the court 
ordered the forfeiture of 8.54 million naira 
(approximately USD 67,250) in funds identified in two 
Nigerian banks. 
 
 
Controlled Deliveries 
--------------------- 
 
 
8. DEA's Lagos Office clarifies that controlled 
deliveries can only be initiated after a viable 
opportunity of drug trafficking to Nigeria has been 
identified. 
 
 
9. The NDLEA in early October announced publicly that 
it is investigating three major commercial banks for 
laundering drug proceeds.   According to DEA, it is 
working with the NDLEA on a joint investigation of 
suspected money launderer (name to be supplied by 
classified email). 
 
 
Regional Narcotics Cooperation 
------------------------------ 
 
 
10. The NDLEA has shown a strong commitment to greater 
cooperation in the West African sub-region and 
throughout the continent.  An extradition agreement 
was inked with South Africa in October 2002, building 
on a bilateral drug and crime control agreement forged 
last year. 
 
 
11. DEA reports that the NDLEA has been the catalyst 
in the West African Joint Operation (WAJO) which 
brought together drug enforcement personnel from the 
entire sub-regional and led to the successful 
execution of a coordinated surge operation at air- and 
sea ports.  164 drug arrests were recorded during the 
six weeks of this regional enforcement initiative. 
This initial success is encouraging greater 
cooperation in the sub-region, and useful, 
collaborative links are being established among 
counter-narcotics officials.  The NDLEA has also 
increased cooperation with its neighbor Benin, with 
DEA assistance.  In early October the NDLEA and 
Beninese Police conducted a joint drug interdiction 
operation at the busy Seme border land border crossing 
between the two countries. 
 
 
JETER