Criminal Politics: Violence, “Godfathers” and Corruption in Nigeria

million) immediately after assuming office. 233 In an interview with Human Rights
Watch, Uba denied that he ever demanded cash payments from Governor Ngige. 234
Relations between Ngige and Uba deteriorated rapidly. In July 2003 Governor Ngige
was kidnapped by armed policemen and forced at gunpoint to sign a “letter of
resignation.” 235 In an interview with Human Rights Watch Ngige alleged that Uba was
responsible for this and cites the episode as illustrative of why, even as governor, he
could not turn to the police for help against Uba’s attempts at extortion. 236 Uba
dismissed the allegations of extortion as being completely without any basis in fact. 237
Ngige’s “resignation” was eagerly accepted by the State House of Assembly despite
the circumstances under which it was obtained. One Anambra State legislator told
Human Rights Watch that at the time most members of the legislature were “in
bondage” to Chris Uba in much the same manner as Ngige. 238
Ngige successfully petitioned to have his “resignation” thrown out by the federal
courts and remained in office but quickly found himself under siege yet again. In
2004 thugs armed with firearms and crude explosives attacked Government House
in Awka and burned part of it to the ground while policemen stood aside and
watched. 239 Other gangs then staged several attacks on other government buildings
throughout the state. 240 As many as 24 people were killed during the ensuing violent
clashes and looting. 241
233 Ibid. At that time N3 billion was roughly three times the total federal monthly allocation of revenue to the Anambra State
Government. Those figures are available online through the Nigerian Ministry of Finance at
http://www.fmf.gov.ng/detail.php?link=faac (accessed July 12, 2007).
234 Human Rights Watch interview with Chris Uba, Enugu, February 12, 2007. Uba redacted unknown portions of the “contract”
or other signed agreements before providing Human Rights Watch with a copy of what remained.
235 Human Rights Watch interview with Chris Ngige, Bethesda, Maryland, January 18, 2007. See also Anayo Okoli, “Anarchy in
Anambra,” The Vanguard, July 11, 2003.
236 Human Rights Watch interview with Chris Ngige, Bethesda, Maryland, January 18, 2007. See also Anayo Okoli, “Anarchy in
Anambra,” The Vanguard, July 11, 2003.
237 Human Rights Watch interview with Chris Uba, Enugu, February 12, 2007.
238 Human Rights Watch interview with Anambra state legislator, Awka, February 12, 2007.
239 Human Rights Watch interview with Chris Ngige, Bethesda, Maryland, January 18, 2007. See also “’Tensions high’ in
Nigeria State,” BBC News Online, November 12, 2004, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4006215.stm (accessed July 16,
2007).
240 Ibid. Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper reported at the time that Anambra “is now ruled by hoodlums who have taken over
every nook and cranny of the state maiming, killing and attacking public buildings without any resistance by the retinue of
69
Human Rights Watch October 2007