COURT ORDERS EXTRADITION OF EX-MINT BOSS TO UNITED KINGDOM TO FACE MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES

Justice E.S Chukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has on Monday, 4th May ordered the extradition of the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPM , Emmanuel Okoyomon to the United Kingdom to face money laundering charges.
The United Kingdom is seeking the extradition of Okoyomon for his alleged role in the bribery allegation involving officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, NSPM and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.
Alex Izinyon, SAN, counsel to the accused had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain and determine the suit saying that there is no treaty between Nigeria and  the United Kingdom.
Izinyon further  argued that the London scheme for extradition within the Commonwealth 2002, does not apply in Nigeria and therefore urged the court to dismiss the extradition application.
H.S. Hassan representing the Attorney General of the Federation, countered Izinyon's arguments. Hassan explained that the 1931 treaty became applicable to Nigeria in 1935 and was never repealed by any enactment, stressing that the schedule 2 under Extradition law provides that, 'the law shall apply to all Commonwealth Nations' of which Nigeria is one.
Justice Chukwu in his ruling ordered the accused, Okoyomon be extradited within thirty days from the date of the ruling to face trial in the United Kingdom pending which time he should be remanded in prison custody.