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Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) Summary: On February 10, 2009, U.S. Mission to Nigeria PP7750 Interagency Committee unanimously agreed to target Ayodele Peter Fayose for visa ineligibility, invoking Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP7750). Fayose is the impeached former Governor of Ekiti state, who is reliably believed to have been personally responsible for the theft of tens of millions of dollars in development funds, and who was reliably alleged to be responsible for considerable political violence in his state. Fayose meets the "triggering event" requirement, having recently applied for a non-immigrant visa on February 13, as well as the requirement that the 7750 candidate's actions have an adverse effect on one of the U.S.
national interests listed in Section 4 of PP7750.
In addition, we believe that this case could help demonstrate to the GON our seriousness about fighting corruption while at the same time emphasizing our willingness to cooperate with Nigeria on the operational level of the investigation. Post therefore requests that the Department consider invoking PP7750 and commence visa ineligibility for Ayodele Fayose and his dependents. End Summary.
7750 TARGET: AYODELE PETER FAYOSE
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2. (C) On February 11, U.S. Mission to Nigeria's PP7750 Interagency Committee, which comprises the POL, ECON, LEGATT, INL, CONS, RAO, and RSO sections of both Embassy Abuja and Consulate Lagos, identified Mr. Ayodele Fayose, former impeached governor of Ekiti State from 2003-2006, as an eligible candidate for visa ineligibility under PP7750.
There is ample evidence from a variety of U.S. Mission sources that Fayose has engaged in various corrupt activities that pose a threat to the stability of Nigeria,s democratic institutions. Fayose is now trying to acquire a U.S. visa which we suspect is an attempt to delay, if not escape
prosecution altogether.
3. (C) Due consideration has been given to ongoing federal investigations. The required biographic and other information on the principle PP7750 target and immediate dependents is detailed below:
Name (Principle Target): Fayose, Ayodele Peter Date-Country of Birth: 15 November 1960, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, multiple entry, 24 months
Claims to other nationalities: none
Name (Spouse): Feyisetan Helen Olayemi Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 08 January 1964, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, valid until 10 February 2010
Name (Child): Oluwajomiloju John Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 18 February 1992, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Ayorogbayimika Mine Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 01 August 1995, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Chukwuemeka Boluwatife Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 05 November 1997, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
CORRUPTION
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4. (C) The GON,s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charge Fayose in December 2007 with 51-counts of money
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laundering and misuse of government funds to the tune of over 11.9 billion naira (approx. $81.2 million). According to the EFCC, Fayose is alleged to have set up phony companies, one of them named Biological Concepts, where he diverted 800 million naira ($5.4 million) from government contracts for a an Ekiti state poultry project, while another 11 billion naira ($74.8 million) is still reported missing. The EFCC also charged Fayose for diverting the poultry project funds to build his 25 million naira ($170,000) house in Afao Ekiti.
The EFCC is investigating Fayose's two other home purchases in Ibadan totaling 60 million naira ($498,000), and his conversion of 2.4 million naira ($16,327) into foreign currency toward the purchase of a Mercedes Benz for his mother. In addition, EFCC contract attorney Festus Keyamo (strictly protect) said that Fayose is suspected of receiving 42 million naira ($286,000) in kickbacks for awarding contracts to the construction of Fountain Hotel in Ibadan.
5. (S) On February 27, Lagos State Chairman of the Yoruba political organization "Afenifere," Chief Supo Shonibare (strictly protect), told Emboffs that Fayose was an example of a politician so far beyond common corruption and accusations of impropriety that Afenifere would not want to
be affiliated with him in any way. Abiodun Oyeleye (strictly protect), human rights activist and the director of the non-governmental organization New Initiative for Social Development also asserted that Fayose,s corrupt governance has been widespread. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) corroborated evidence of Fayose,s political corruption, affirming to Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose provided stipends to people to attend his rallies and paid journalists to write favorable stories, a standard political practice in Nigeria.
USING VIOLENCE TO CORRUPT ELECTIONS
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6. (S) According to Shina Loremikan (strictly protect), Director of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Zero Corruption Coalition, Fayose was directly involved in political assassinations against political rivals in Ekiti State, such as Tunde Omojola and Ayo Daramola, whose
murderers are well-known Fayose aides, currently serving prison terms for these crimes. Loremikan added that Fayose is also suspected of involvement in the attempted assassinations of Tayi Fasuba, Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA), and Chief Afe Babalola who is from Fayose's own political party.
Ekiti State Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, informed Emboffs on
various occasions that under Fayose's direction, politics in Ekiti have become increasingly violent. Another member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Churchill Adedipe (strictly protect), confided to Emboffs on March 2 that local people are fearful of being part of any opposition to Fayose. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) told Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose would bribe journalists to cover up accounts of his violence and accusations of his corruption, killings, etc. which were widely presumed to be true.
VISA IMPLICATIONS
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7. (S) According to EFCC Chair Farida Waziri and the Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, Fayose has made multiple attempts to delay his court case. In December 2008, the judge overseeing the case refused his request for a stay, and the trial is now under way. The only circumstance which allows a defendant to miss court hearings is if he requires
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medical treatment; however, in many cases this is only a ploy to cause further delay in the case. Fayose, after his latest failed attempt to delay his court hearings, is now requesting a visa to travel to the United States for alleged "urgent medical attention." When Fayose was impeached in 2006, he went into hiding for at least two months, presumably abroad. On February 13, Fayose applied for a non-immigrant visa to travel to the United States.
8. (C) Comment: Given the appearance of backsliding on the part of the GON in its commitment to fight corruption, the timing is right for the U.S. to send a strong message. Ayodele Peter Fayose is a strong candidate for PP7750 designation. He has been charged for stealing tens of
millions of dollars from the government, which was supposed to have been allocated to economic development projects, and has been implicated in corrupting state politics through the promotion of political assassinations and attempted assassinations. Invoking PP7750 for Fayose and his
dependents would underscore the USG's strong commitment to fight corruption in Nigeria. End Comment.
9. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
SANDERS Source: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09ABUJA895_a.html 1 Like |
