Cablegate: Defense Minister Indicted for Corruption

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

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

© Scoop Media