Chief Alamieyeseigha was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on charges of money laundering in September 2005 but jumped bail and fled the country to Nigeria disguised as a woman. In March 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan granted a state pardon to the former Bayelsa State governor and although he is safe within Nigeria, UK authorities still want him to answer charges in Britain.
Last week, the British authorities revealed that they would be making a formal extradition request to have Chief Alamieyeseigha returned to London to face charges. Found to own properties and assets in London worth £10m, Chief Alamieyeseigha was since impeached and charged in Nigeria where he pleaded guilty to six charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Diplomatic sources said ex-governor risks arrest because the international investigation of his crimes are still pending. In 2013, President Jonathan made it clear that he would not accede to a request for Chief Alamieyeseigha to be extradited to Britain and as no formal request was presented, the matter was left alone.
Yesterday, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), claimed that Britain's request for the extradition Chief Alamieyeseigha was politically motivated. It added that although the request was coming from the UK, the action is politically motivated and instigated by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration while the UK is being used as a subterfuge.
IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, said the suspicious request from the UK government and the immediate justification by the head of the presidential anti-corruption committee, Professor Itse Sagay, betrays a clandestine plan to arrest and jail Chief Alamieyeseigha over his open criticism of the present administration. While warning the UK government to desist from being used or interfering in the internal affairs of Nigeria, the IYC averred that this excessive interference is deliberately designed to cause a crisis in Nigeria.
Mr Omare added: “The real brains behind the extradition request are some key players in the Nigerian government, who want Alamieyesegha to be punished because of his recent statement on his ordeal in the past and because of his consistent opposition to the ruling party. The IYC also condemned Professor Sagay, the chairman of the presidential advisory committee on anti-corruption for justifying the extradition request by the UK government.
“It amounts to professional misconduct for Sagay who was one of Alamieyeseigha’s lawyers during his arrest and subsequent trial in Nigeria to now be acting as an adviser to the federal government on the same matter. Nigerians would recall that Professor Sagay fell out with his old time friend and benefactor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi because of the arrest of Alamieyesegha in London."
According to Mr Omare, when Chief James Ibori was sentenced in London, Professor Sagay condemned the sentence for being excessive. He added that now same Professor Sagay is singing a new song, pointing out that his conduct is not only unprofessional but he also lacks consistency and integrity.
"Professor Sagay is nothing but a man who speaks from any side of his mouth and no useful advice can come from a committee headed by such an inconsistent character," Mr Omare added. He warned that the people of Niger Delta would no longer accept the continued persecution being meted out to it by the Buhari-led federal government.
Comments
Post a Comment