Italy’s Hunt for a Mysterious Nigerian Mafia | Bloomberg Investigates

The Nigerian Mafia in Italy

• The term "mafia" evokes fear and violence, with images of bombings, murders, and bodies dissolved in acid. The consequences of being accused of being a mafioso are severe, with harsh punishments and devastating repercussions.
• Italy has become aware of a new form of organized crime: the Nigerian mafia. This group operates in conjunction with Italian criminal organizations, but remains shrouded in mystery.
• The Nigerian mafia enforces a culture of silence and intimidation among its members. Those who speak out face violence and mutilation.
• The Nigerian mafia's influence is growing, and they are seen as a major threat to public order in Italy.
• The Italian justice system is capable of handling this threat, but it requires dedicated individuals to ensure its effectiveness.
• The rise of the Nigerian mafia coincides with a surge in immigration from Africa to Italy. This influx has sparked political debate, with some politicians using the issue to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment.
• The Nigerian mafia is known for its involvement in various criminal activities, including prostitution, human trafficking, drug dealing, and organ trafficking.
• The Italian government is facing pressure to address the growing threat posed by the Nigerian mafia and regain control of its territory.

The "Green Bible" and the Nigerian Mafia

• The Italian authorities discovered that the people they were investigating were part of a new confraternity, previously unknown to them.
• The Italian authorities found evidence of a ritualistic practice within the Nigerian mafia, similar to the Italian "punci tuta" oath, where a person swearing loyalty would burn a holy image while holding it in their hand.
• The Italian authorities used extensive surveillance techniques, including wiretaps, to gather evidence against the Nigerian mafia.
• The Italian authorities were able to identify a high-ranking member of the Nigerian mafia, described as the "International Don," who was traveling to Italy from Nigeria.
• The Italian authorities followed the "International Don" from the airport in Milan to the Boscolo Hotel in Bologna.
• Italian police bugged a meeting at the Boscolo Hotel, which was believed to be a gathering of the GCA (Green Sec Association) and the MA (Mafia).
• The meeting was significant because it was one of the few times police were able to monitor a meeting of a criminal organization with characteristics similar to a board of directors.
• The police believed that the GCA and the MA were one and the same and that they were a sophisticated Nigerian mafia that had taken control of Italian territory.
• Oscar, a former member of the GCA, became a collaborator with the police and provided information about the organization's activities, including violent initiation rituals, drug and weapons deals, and the fact that members could only leave the group through death.
• Oscar's testimony led to further arrests and investigations, highlighting the significant threat posed by the GCA/MA.
• The Italian police were investigating a suspected Nigerian mafia group, but the evidence was weak.
• The police were looking for evidence of group crimes, but the crimes seemed to be committed individually.
• The prosecutor found a "green bible" that was allegedly a secret book used by the Nigerian mafia.
• The book contained instructions on how to commit crimes, including killing people and shooting police officers.
• The book was intercepted by the police in Rome and sent to the courts in Catania, Modena, and Turin for translation.
• The book described the rules and goals of the organization and detailed criminal activities.

The "Green Bible" Controversy

• The speaker, Douglas, found a copy of the "green bible" which was a supposed mafia constitution.
• He discovered that the "green bible" was a copy-paste of a Texan prison gang constitution and a "Maia" constitution.
• Douglas found that the "green bible" was not original and was brought to Italy by a new member of the "Maia" group.
• Douglas was a member of the "Maia" association in school, which was a group fighting against injustice.
• Douglas investigated the "green bible" and found that it was not evidence of any criminal activity.
• Oscar, a suspect in the case, claimed that the "Maia" and the "gca" were the same thing, using the "green bible" to support his claim.
• Oscar was released from prison after becoming an informant for the police.
• The "green bible" was conveniently dispatched the same week Oscar was released.
• The speaker believes that the "green bible" was used to create a false narrative about the "Maia" group.
• The speaker's lawyer believes that the prosecution has no evidence against him and that he will be vindicated.
• The speaker is confident that he will be proven innocent, even if the trial takes years.

The Case of Cesar

• Cesar, a Nigerian man, was arrested and accused of being part of a Nigerian mafia. He was charged based on the existence of a "green bible," which was presented as evidence of his involvement.
• Cesar denied the accusations and claimed the "green bible" was forged. He argued that the book was a student publication from 1978 and had nothing to do with criminal activity.
• The court ultimately ruled in Cesar's favor, finding that the prosecution had not conducted a proper investigation and that the "green bible" was not a valid piece of evidence. The judge also stated that there was no evidence of a Nigerian mafia.
• Despite the acquittal, Cesar and many other Nigerians have suffered negative consequences from the accusations. They have been subjected to public scrutiny, fear, and even imprisonment.
• The Italian anti-mafia code, originally designed to combat powerful and violent Italian criminal organizations, has been misapplied to Nigerians. This has led to a perception of Nigerians as mafiosos, even though there is no evidence to support this claim.
• The legal outcomes of these cases have been minimal, but the political impact has been significant. The perception of Nigerians as mafiosos has become ingrained in Italian society.
• Cesar and others who were wrongly accused are seeking justice. They have lost their freedom, their livelihoods, and their peace of mind. They are calling for an end to the false accusations and for the recognition of their innocence.