FG ruled out meddling in Ekweremadu’s trial in the UK

Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, declared on Thursday that the Federal Government will not get involved in any domestic or foreign legal disputes involving former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently on trial in the United Kingdom for alleged organ harvesting.
Malami revealed this to the media on Thursday during the 46th State House Briefing, which was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was hosted by the Presidential Communications Team.
According to The PUNCH, Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice were accused of conspiring to enable the trip of another individual for organ harvesting by the UK Metropolitan Police.
In response to a query on the subject, the AGF stated, “It has never been the tradition of the Nigerian government to interfere in anything judicial, local or international.
“On the intervention of Senator Ekweremadu, I have stated in the course of my presentation that there has been in existence, a mutual legal assistance request and collaboration between Nigeria and other countries across the world. We will address it if there is such a request on the part of the senator.”
He recalled a request that had gone through his office and was intended to be sent to the UK’s Crime Agency at Ekweremadu’s request.
He added, “In view of the fact that, the transmission of international documents is a function of a department central authority unit in the Office of the Attorney General and on the request of Senator Ekweremadu, an agency of government was asked to respond to certain inquiries, they did, and under seal, they presented their default which was transmitted to UK accordingly.
“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. If there are interests, they should be rooted in law. For example, relating to the child in contention, we have Child Rights among others.”
He stated that because Senator Ekweremadu is a Nigerian, consular services ought to be made available to him.
“And if the request is made, we’ll look at its merits,” said Malami.

GOGAN Media.