The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that Nigerian government has no particular interest in the trial of former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, over alleged organ harvest in the United Kingdom.
Fielding questions from news men today, August 11, during the ministerial briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Malami said: “It has never been the tradition of Nigerian government to interfere with anything judicial, local or international. And that is the position of the government.”
According to the Justice minister: “as far as interest as to the federal government is concerned, it is not a matter over which we can develop any interest. Perhaps, if there are interests, there are interests that should be rooted in law. For example, relating to the child in contention, you know, we have Child Rights among others.
“For example. If there is an allegation of breach, we may possibly consider looking at it from that perspective.
“In case of consular services there is s 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, 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 are equally convicted of recent in Nigeria, and over time. So, it is about issues that border on crime. If indeed, a crime 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 because you are a high-profile personality you jump into that arena.
“It has never been the tradition of Nigerian government to interfere with anything judicial, local or international. And that stands the position of the government.”
Malami said that Nigeria has what he called “mutual legal assistance, understanding with the UK” and that “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.”
