Ruling On Extradition of Ex-Mint Boss Now Fixed For Dec. 17

Justice E.S Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Maitama Abuja, has adjourned ruling in the extradition proceedings brought against former managing director of Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, NSPMC. Ehidiamhem Okoyomon, to December 17, 2014.

The court had on October 7 when Okoyomon was granted bail, fixed December 1, 2014, for ruling on the extradition request brought against the defendant by the office of Attorney General of the Federation, following a request by the UK government.

However, when the case was mentioned today, Justice Chukwu told the court that the ruling was not ready due to the numerous cases he had to attend to, and adjourned proceedings to December 17, 2014.

The former Mint boss is wanted in UK over his alleged role in the bribery scandal involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; the Nigeria Security Minting and Printing Company, NSMPC and Securency International Pty of Australia, between 2006 and 2008.

It would be recalled that Okoyomon was granted bail on October 7 in the sum of Five hundred million naira (N500, 000,000.00), two sureties who must be of the rank of Executive Director in a government agency, with a landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The court further ruled that the surety must swear to affidavit of means with evidence of tax payment for the last three years, and deposit two recent passports photographs with the court registrar.

The two sureties and the accused are to deposit their international passports with the EFCC while the accused is to report every Monday to the Commission.