Posted by By ABDULFATAH OLADEINDE, OLA AGBAJE and MUYIWA OYINLOLA on
Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha has been declared wanted by the Southwark Crown Court in London, with a warrant of arrest issued on him.
Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha has been declared wanted by the Southwark Crown Court in London, with a warrant of arrest issued on him.
Alamieyeseigha had escaped to Nigeria on November 16, apparently to evade criminal trial after the appellate court granted him bail, which enabled him to leave Brixton prison in the British capital on October 13 after a two-week detention. He had been remanded in prison custody by the magistrate court where he is standing trial for money laundering.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its reaction to the warrant issued on the embattled governor applauded the decision, but notable lawyers, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Fred Agbaje argued that Alamieyeseigha cannot be arrested on Nigerian soil as long as he remains in office.
The Bayelsa governor's matter came up yesterday before Justice Rivlin.
The judge ordered for his arrest by the Metropolitan Police, but the warrant cannot be effected until the governor either resigns or is impeached.
Already, an impeachment process has been initiated by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, and a seven-man panel constituted by the state Chief Judge, Justice Joel Igoniwari to investigate sundry allegations of financial misdemeanour which the EFCC preferred against the governor.
EFCC spokesman, Osita Nwajah in a telephone chat with Daily Sun last night described the issuance of warrant of arrest on Alamieyeseigha as indicating commitment of the British government to the fight against corruption.
He said the British government "has done its own part of the job. We are happy that the rule of law is taking its course."
Nwajah also noted that the development was a good step in the fight against corruption, adding that "it has lightened our burden."
Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Fred Agbaje who also spoke to Daily Sun yesterday said the Bayelsa governor still enjoys immunity from arrest and prosecution provided by Section 308 of the Constitution.
According to Fawehinmi, "Section 308 is a major impediment to execution of the warrant of arrest issued by the court. It cannot be effected on Nigeria soil. It could only be efficacious if he is impeached. This is why the Bayelsa State House of Assembly should not waste time in completing the impeachment process so that the man could be bundled back to the United Kingdom to face his trial."
In the same vein, Agbaje also said no one can touch the governor unless he is impeached or he travels out of the country.
"His immunity remains intact and the warrant of arrest cannot be effected until he is impeached," the notable lawyer argued.
Alamieyeseigha was arrested at the Heathrow Airport on September 15 on his arrival in London from Germany, where he had gone for medical treatment. After his arrest a search was conducted on his home and £1 million cash was said to have been found. The sums of £429,000 and £470,000 were also found lodged in separate bank accounts belonging to him, besides assets worth £10 million, all of which have been confiscated by the police.
The discoveries by the police prompted his being charged to court for money laundering to the tune of £1.8 million.