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Diepreye Alamieyesigha of Bayelsa, who has been restricted to London following a charge of alleged money laundering clamped on him by the Metropolitan Police has asked a South Wark Crown Court in London to vary the terms of his bail.
GOVERNOR Diepreye Alamieyesigha of Bayelsa, who has been restricted to London following a charge of alleged money laundering clamped on him by the Metropolitan Police has asked a South Wark Crown Court in London to vary the terms of his bail.
The governor also asked the court to release his travelling documents so that he can return home.
The court had granted him bail after being detained in the notorious Brixton Prison for two weeks but barred him from moving within 300 metres of any border sea or airport.
But the governor's trial over alleged money laundering charge will start tomorrow before the South Wark Crown Court. The governor is facing a three-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of £1.8 million.
He was charged with allegedly violating Section 93c (1a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 totalling £420,000.00 and £475,000.00 respectively, and on one count of money laundering contrary to Section 327 (1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2000 totalling £920,000.00.
The governor's defence team, led by Fidelis Odittah, QC had argued before both South Wark Crown Court and the Bow Street Magistrate Court that ordered his detention in prison that Alamieyesigha's passport be released so that he could attend to his health.
The prosecuting team, however, hinged its case on the ground that the governor was involved by lodging £425,000.00 and £475,000.00 in different accounts in a London bank between 2001 and now based on the discoveries of £1.8 million in his house and bank account.
The prosecution also seeks to prove that the £1 million found in the governor's London home were proceeds of crime punishable under the Crime Proceeds Act.
The governor currently is enjoying a bail granted him on October 11 this year was warned not to violate the following six conditions:
* That he must live and sleep each night November 1, 2005at an address known to the court.
* Daily reporting - The defendant must report daily to a police station known to the court.
* Securities must be lodged with the court to a total sum of £500,000.00.
* There must be three sureties of £250,000.00.
* Not to leave the jurisdiction nor apply for any travel document.
* Not to go within three miles of any port or airport.
Alamieyeseigha was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on September 15 on his way back from Germany, where he had gone for an operation. In a search of his London home by detectives from Scotland Yard about £1 million cash was found. Also £420,000.00 and £470,000.00 were found in different bank accounts belonging to him.
The funds have since been confiscated while assets worth £10 million belonging to the governor have been frozen.