Managing Director of the Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company [NSMPC], Emmanuel Okoyomon to face corruption charges in the United Kingdom.
In a letter of rwequest sent to the Nigerian Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice stated that Okoyomon is wanted in the United Kingdom over 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.
Delivering his judgment which had suffered three previous adjournments, the trial Judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu yesterday held that the AGF had fulfilled the necessary steps to warrant the granting of his request for the extradition of the former MINT boss to the United Kingdom to face prosecution over some findings related to the allegations.
In the words of the Judge, “The applicant (AGF) satisfied the court with enough materials to grant the extradition order against the respondent (Okomoyon), who is a British citizen, according to exhibit C tendered before the court by the applicant.
“I resolve the issues formulated for determination in the affirmative. The application has merit, it succeeds and granted as prayed”, the Judge held and added that the former MINT boss be remanded in Prison custody and should be extradited within 30 days to face his trial.
The judge held that the defendant, Okoyomon failed to put up any reasonable counter affidavit to controvert the Attorney General of the Federation’s claims of alleged bribery against him.
His counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon, had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application to extradite the defendant, that the1931 treaty which the prosecution counsel is relying upon had been repealed by Decree No 87 of 1966.
He argued that the 1931 treaty between UK and Nigeria was just an agreement, not a law.
“I submit that, even if you want to consider that, it was between UK and United States and it governs the protectorate that was under UK then”.
Prosecution counsel, Muslim Hassan, in his submission, argued that the 1931 treaty became applicable to Nigeria in 1935 and that it was never repealed by any enactment.
He further told the court that “schedule 2 under extradition law provides that the law shall apply to all Commonwealth nations” and urged the court to grant his plea based on the extradition treaty of 1931 between Nigeria and the UK which is applicable in Nigeria.
Following the October 1, 2009 launch of the polymer bank notes in Nigeria, which saw the N5, N10, and N50 notes remade in polymer material as against the original paper version, a scandal broke that CBN and NSPM officials received bribes to effect the switch to polymer.
Nigerian Tribune checks revealed that about N750 million was paid in bribes to some Nigerian officials between 2006 and 2008 to secure the contract for the printing of the naira notes which saw to the initial supply of about 1.9 billion pieces of polymer substrates on which bank notes were printed.
Subsequently, several international investigations over the activities of the bank note company led to the arrest, prosecution as well as sack of several top management staff of the RBA and its sister company, Securency Pty.
In its own investigation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated several officials of the CBN and NSPM.
But while no official of the Central Bank has so far been indicted, the commission has been in court with Mr. Okoyomon, over the request to extradite him to the United Kingdom to face prosecution over some findings related to the allegations.
The U.K. had sought the extradition of Mr. Okoyomon over his alleged role in the bribery scheme allegedly executed between 2006 and 2008.
Reacting shortly after the judgment, counsel to the federal government expressed satisfaction with the judgment, while counsel to the former NSPMC boss, Ike Ikeocha said they will appeal the judgment.
(Godwin Tsa)
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