Court okays Okoyomon’s extradition to UK

Ex Mint MD appeals 

THE Federal High Court, Abuja Division yesterday gave its nod for the Attorney General of Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) to proceed with plans to extradite former Managing Director of Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, (NSMPC) Emmanuel Ehidiamhem Okoyomon to the United Kingdom for trial.

Meanwhile , Okoyomon has filed a Notice of ‎Appeal, seeking to upturn the decision of the Federal High Court on three grounds. The United Kingdom forwarded an extradition request to the Federal Government for Okoyomon, requiring him to come answer to charges relating to his alleged role in the bribery scandal involving officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the NSMPC and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

But Okoyomon in a preliminary objection filed by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) against the request, had prayed the court to reject the AGF’s application as he contended that there was no existing treaty between Nigeria and the UK to warrant the extradition.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Evoh Chukwu after several failed attempts, the court said all laid down procedures for the extradition application to succeed had been met.

Justice Chukwu also held that ‎there was an existing extradition treaty between UK and Nigeria. Consequently, he order‎ed the AGF to, within 30 days extradite Okoyomon to the UK for his trial.

However, the former managing director has filed a Notice of Appeal and Stay of Execution of Justice Chukwu’s order.