A former Managing Director of Nigerian Security, Minting and Printing Company, Mr. Ehidiamhem Okoyomon, on Wednesday opted for trial in Nigeria rather than being extradited to the United Kingdom to face criminal charges.

But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to grant its application to extradite Okoyomon to the United Kingdom where he had been assured of fair trial.

Justice Evoh Chukwu adjourned till December 1 for judgment on EFCC’s extradition application after both parties disagreed on the legality and the merit of the application on Wednesday.

The court ordered Okoyomon to remain in EFCC custody pending when judgment would be delivered.

The EFCC through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation maintained that there was no basis to subject Okoyomon to trial in Nigeria when there was no pending charge against him.

The EFCC’s application was informed by the request by the UK government to extradite Okoyomon to the country to face charges relating to bribery allegation involving officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the NSMPC and the Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

Okoyomon’s lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), while opposing the application, insisted that there was no existing extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK.

Izinyon added hat extraditing his client to face trial in the UK when part of the crime he was being wanted for in the UK was allegedly committed in Nigeria, would amount to subordination of Nigeria’s sovereignty to that of the UK.

He said, “We don’t want extradition. Since part of the alleged crime was committed here (Nigeria), we are ready to face trial in Nigeria.

“In fact, extraditing him to the UK is subordination of our sovereignty to that of the United Kingdom.

“The issue of fair hearing in the UK does not arise. Are we saying there is no fair hearing in Nigeria?”

Izinyon, in adopting his preliminary objection and counter-affidavit to the extradition application, said two statutes – the Extradition Treaty of 1931 and the London Scheme for Extradition – relied upon by the EFCC were no longer applicable in Nigeria.


Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/ex-minting-boss-rejects-extradition-asks-for-trial-in-nigeria/

Why is it that thieves are always afraid of being punish?
@op where is ur source of news?

The guy dey fear

Extradite the f**l.

Let him face the law. He wanna bribe his way out? What a joker!

He knows that under Jonathan he can buy full Innocence. We all know that when Buhari is elected, he will be the one begging to trek to UK by land

James Ibori is waiting for you there in UK.