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British police gave me $3,000 to escape - Alamieyeseigha

Posted by dailyindependent on 2006/07/24 | Views: 562 |

British police gave me $3,000 to escape - Alamieyeseigha


Former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, currently standing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos over money laundering allegations.....

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, currently standing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos over money laundering allegations, has revealed that it was indeed the British Metropolitan Police that aided his escape to Nigeria, laying finally to rest speculations that he escaped from United Kingdom garbed like a woman.

Alamieyeseigha told the court that the Metropolitan Police came to his house in London, put him on a small plane, which took him to Cote D'Ivoire and gave him $3,000 to enable him find his way back to the country.

Confirming the story Friday night, one of the counsels to the embattled former governor, Chief Mike Okoye, said that it was when Alamieyeseigha got to Cote D'ivoire that he called some friends in Nigeria who assisted him to return to Nigeria. "According to the affidavit, Alamieyeseigha was actually expelled from Britain, contrary to the much-circulated story of his dramatic escape." Okoye said.

An affidavit filed by Professor Alfred Kasumu on behalf of Alamieyeseigha in pursuance of his bail application revealed that the British Police were simply not willing to get involved in what was more an internal problem rather than an international one.

The former governor prayed the court to grant his bail request as his health was failing. Justice Mohammed Shuaibu adjourned proceedings till July 25.

Counsel to the former governor and that of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are expected to open their arguments on the bail application next week Tuesday.

The Federal Government had on July 14 opposed the bail application before it filed by counsel to the former governor on the ground that if granted, Alamieyeseigha may fuel the already dangerous activities of militant groups operating in the Niger-Delta region.

Besides, the government dismissed reports of Alamieyeseigha's deteriorating health condition, saying medical report from the University College {UCH} Ibadan, Oyo State revealed that he was in a stable condition.

In a counter affidavit dated July 3, the federal government had alleged that the former governor was the major sponsor of the Niger-Delta militant groups and had been having regular contact with them from his hospital bed through the telephone.

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