Posted by From Oghogho Obayuwana on
THE British government has disclosed its plans to work with the London court that recently granted bail to Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek a warrant of his re-arrest following the governor's bail jump.
THE British government has disclosed its plans to work with the London court that recently granted bail to Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek a warrant of his re-arrest following the governor's bail jump.
But Alamieyeseigha will not be arrested in Nigeria by the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) since he currently enjoys constitutional immunity.
The warrant would only be effective anytime the governor steps his feet on London soil.
Speaking to The Guardian yesterday in Abuja, the Political Officer of the British High Commission, Mr. Neil Angell, noted that the immunity conferred on state governors by the Nigerian constitution is not helping matters in this regard.
Angell, who stood in for the spokesperson of the High Commission, Mr. Graeme Bannatyne, said by an information detail, would be out of Abuja yesterday. He could not, however, comment on Alamieyeseigha's method of escape, the return route as well as the last time the Metropolitan Police lost the customary web lead on him.
Apparently embarrassed by the turn of event regarding the bail jump, Angell described the escape of Alamieyeseigha from London as "pathetic and shocking." But he gave assurance that "the police will work with the court to seek a warrant of arrest so that whenever he comes into London, he could be arrested."
On how it was possible for the governor to escape from London despite the close watch on him by the Scotland yard, the official said: "We think that became possible because the bail condition was not too strict. There was no 24 hours surveillance on him."