Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

Search

 

Cablegate: Senior Nigerian Corruption Trial Postponed

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

291100Z Oct 04

UNCLAS ABUJA 001832

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM NI
SUBJECT: SENIOR NIGERIAN CORRUPTION TRIAL POSTPONED
AGAIN

REF: ABUJA 1074

1. The high-profile corruption case brought against
five senior ex-GON officials, including the Labor
Minister sacked over the scandal, by the Independent
Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) was postponed to
December 9, 2004. After numerous delays and
postponements, the trial had been scheduled for October
27, but court clerks explained that the trial judge had
been unable to book a flight to Abuja from Port
Harcourt.

2. Meanwhile, Sagem, the French firm accused of
bribing the five officials to win the national ID card
contract, has continued to fulfill its contractual
obligations, despite the scandal. Sagem, however, has
threatened to pull out of Nigeria by the end of 2004 if
the GON does not pay its outstanding Naira 9 billion
(US$68 million) balance promptly.

CAMPBELL

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More

Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.