EFCC’s Moves To Extradite Diezani Fails Again As Court Rejects Plea To Issue Arrest Warrant

The Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on Wednesday declined an application by the Economic and Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC) to issue a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu refused the granting of the application on the ground that an affidavit to proof that it had failed in it’s extradition attempt on Diezani, as was earlier ordered, before another request could be made.

Ojukwu noted that the EFCC had informed the court that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice hinted that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the international police (INTERPOL) the legal power  to  bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her.

The judge, however, said it would give the anti-graft agency a room to put its house in order in the trial of the ex-minister.

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“I have carefully perused the application of the prosecution. The earlier order of this court was made pursuant to Section 831 of  Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA),” she said.

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According to the judge, court orders are not made in vain. “It is my view that the summon should have assisted in the extradition of the defendant by the office of the AGF.

Today, the defendant is not in court and no reason was giving. I am being informed that the defendant is believed to be in the United Kingdom (UK). The learned counsel also informed the court that the extradition process had failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest.

“But if that is the case, learned counsel shall file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. I hereby give you time to put your house in order,” the judge held.

According to Sun report, Justice Ojukwu then adjourned the matter til December 3 for report and arraignment of the defendant. Earlier at the resumed hearing, the EFCC’s lawyer, Farouk Abdullah reminded the court of the orders it gave and that the anti-graft agency had complied with them.

“This is evident by an affidavit of compliance filed in this case and before your lordship. It was filed on October 8, 2020,” he said.

He said since the defendant was not in court, the EFCC would urge the court to issue an arrest warrant against Diezani.

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