May 4, 215/huhuonline.com

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that a former Managing Director of Nigerian Security, Minting and Printing Company (NSMPC), Mr. Ehidiamhem Okoyomon should be extradited to the United Kingdom to face criminal charges.

Presiding judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu handed down the ruling on Monday.

He ruled further that Okoyomon should remanded in prison while the extradition process is being concluded within 30 days.

Chukwu delivered the judgement  the as a follow up on the extradition application filed on 29th September 2014 by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

Earlier on Monday, a suit filed by Okoyomon, challenging his arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the on the request of the British High Commission in Nigeria had been struck out. The court had maintained that Okoyomon’s suit was merely academic, since the Attorney-General of the Federation has filed the application for his extradition.

The court also dismissed his preliminary objection to the AGF’s extradition application. It held that Okoyomon, through his counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), “has no defence for this application and did not make any attempt to counter it.”

Chukwu maintained that the AGF had satisfied all the requirements under the Extradition Act Cap E25 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 for Okoyomon’s extradition since he has been indicted for criminal offences in the UK.