The Nigerian House of Representatives has launched an investigation into why the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) allegedly ignored Nigerian court judgments by including billionaire businessman Benedict Peters in criminal proceedings.
The action follows a petition by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), who described the alleged actions as an attack on Nigeria’s judicial sovereignty.
The petition claims Peters’ name was wrongfully included in the indictment against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, despite his prior exoneration by both Nigerian and UK courts.
The petition states that Peters’ inclusion in the ongoing trial—cited in charge sheets for R. v. Diezani Alison-Madueke (URN No: 01NB1110815; Compass ID: 16267145, dated 10 August 2023)—was intended to tarnish his reputation and target his assets. Peters, a pan-African philanthropist and investor, had previously been cleared of allegations related to unlawful payments to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and ownership of properties in London and Atlanta.
The petition also highlighted a pattern of disregard for Nigerian court rulings by UK authorities. It referenced a letter from Mrs. E.C. Davies, Special Prosecutor of the Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate – Regional and Wales Division, which sought to justify Peters’ inclusion on the grounds that Nigerian courts cannot bind UK authorities.
This, according to the petition, contradicted an earlier CPS position acknowledging that Peters and his companies should have been removed from the restraint order.
The petition called on the House to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system and ensure foreign authorities respect Nigerian court judgments, citing international law and the Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act of 2004. It also referenced Article 2(1) of the UN Charter and the UK’s State Immunity Act 1978, emphasising that foreign states must respect judicial decisions of sovereign nations.
Following the petition, the House unanimously referred the matter to its Committee on Public Petitions for investigation. The committee will hold public hearings and report back within four weeks, inviting stakeholders including the NCA, CPS, EFCC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and representatives of Peters.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in cross-border legal cooperation and underscores the importance of respecting judicial sovereignty in international proceedings, particularly in cases involving prominent business figures and public officials.
