Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Denies Wikileaks Documents Allegations in Nigerian Meningitis Case

Wikileaks continues to upset the status quo, with the latest revelation coming from documents released of an alleged cable from Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) saying they had hired private investigators in order to find ties of corruption to federal attorney general, at the time, Michael Aondoakaa, who had been prosecuting the company concerning an experiment with antibiotics which ended in the deaths of Nigerian children.

The cable said, “Pfizer had hired investigators to uncover corruption links to federal attorney general Michael Aondoakaa to expose him and put pressure on him to drop the federal cases. He said Pfizer’s investigators were passing this information to local media.

“A series of damaging articles detailing Aondoakaa’s ‘alleged’ corruption ties were published in February and March. Liggeri contended that Pfizer had much more damaging information on Aondoakaa and that Aondoakaa’s cronies were pressuring him to drop the suit for fear of further negative articles.”

Enrico Liggeri was Pfizer's manager in Nigeria.

Christopher Loder, a spokesman based at Pfizer’s New York headquarters responded saying, “Any notion that the company hired investigators in connection to the former attorney general is simply preposterous.”

Michael K. Aondoakaa responded saying he wasn't aware of any investigation that had been performed on him by Pfizer either.

The reason it's even important is it comes from an outbreak of meningitis in 1996, where Pfizer allegedly had tested an experimental antibiotic called Trovan on children with the disease.

Some of the recipients reportedly suffered from blindness, deafness, brain damage and paralysis during the trial period.

Pfizer has maintained the symptoms mentioned were the consequence of meningitis.

While being sued for billions, Pfizer ended up settling for $75 million.