UK keen on extradition of former NSPMC boss

                                                                 
A High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, fixed August 12, 2015 for hearing on a bail application brought by Emmanuel Okoyomon, former Managing Director of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

Okoyomon's extradition is being sought by the UK government over his alleged role in a bribery allegation.

The alleged bribery involved officials of Central Bank of Nigeria, NSPMC and Security International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

It will be recalled that Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on May 4, ordered the extradition of Okoyomon to UK to face charges of corruption and money laundering.

The judge also ordered him to be remanded in prison custody pending his extradition.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Okoyomon through his lead Counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN) approached the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay of execution of the order of the lower court.

The lower court in the circumstance adjourned "sine die’’ or indefinitely, pending the determination of the case in the appellate court.

However, Okoyomon again approached the FCT High Court challenging his continued incarceration, alleging infringement of his right to personal liberty by the Deputy Comptroller in-charge, Medium Security Prison, Kuje and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Justice Valentine Ashi fixed the date for hearing on the preliminary objection raised by the Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Mohammed Hassan to the application.

Objecting to the bail application, Hassan submitted that the applicant was being detained lawfully on the orders of the Court of Appeal.

According to Hassan, this court’s discretionary powers are subordinate to the order of the Court of Appeal.

He said that contrary to the applicant’s claim in his bail application, there was nothing to suggest that the medical condition of the applicant could not be taken care of while in prison custody.

"Inmates who are sick while in custody are taken to hospital for treatment if need be, ” he said.

Hassan urged the court to discountenance the application because the applicant might interfere with the ongoing proceedings at the court of appeal if granted bail.

He stated that contrary to the applicant’s assurance in his bail application "no amount of reasonable or substantial sureties can guarantee the appearance of the applicant in court.”

Responding, Okoyomon’s counsel, Mr Mike Enahoro, sought an adjournment in order to respond to issues raised in the preliminary objection and the counter-affidavit and reply on point of law.