OGRAN HARVESTING: Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice are accused of organ harvesting in the United Kingdom and currently facing charges as the case has been charged to the court in the UK and the federal government is unable to step in.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, it is against government policy to interfere in court affairs, whether they are local or international. He made this known during a ministerial briefing on Thursday, August 11.
In his words:
“It has never been the tradition of the Nigerian government to interfere in anything judicial, local, or international. And that stands the position of the government.”
“On the issue of the intervention on senator Ekweremadu. I have stated in the course of my presentation, that there have been in existence, mutual legal assistance requests and collaboration between Nigeria and other countries across the world. So, to this end, I want to state that we will address the request if there is such a request, both on the part of senator Ekweremadu.”
Malami continued:
“So, the implication of what I’m trying to state in essence is we have mutual legal assistance, understanding with the UK, and whichever of the agencies, either the senator as an accused or suspect or indeed the agencies in the UK, make any request for international support, we will respond accordingly.”
“But as far as interest as to the federal government is concerned, it is not a matter over which we can develop any interest. Perhaps maybe, if there are interests, the interests should be rooted in law. For example, relating to the child in contention, you know, we have child rights, among others.”
“In case of consular services, there is a need for senator Ekweremadu to be accorded one, in view of the fact that he is Nigerian, and the request is made. We’ll look at it on its merits.”
“So, what I’m saying, in essence, it is not about meddlesome interloper, or perhaps maybe just coming into a scene relating to issues that border on crime.”
“As you are likely aware, a number of Nigerians were before now convicted across the globe. And then a number of foreigners were equally convicted recently in Nigeria. So, it is about issues that border on crime.”
The Attorney- General concluded by saying:
“If indeed, a criminal allegation is an issue, the jurisdiction determines what happens both in terms of request, in terms of support, and not for a Nigerian government to simply intervene because you are a high-profile personality.”
