The federal government will not interfere in the alleged organ harvesting plot case against former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in the United Kingdom.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the assertion on Thursday during the State House briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Malami who was responding to a question on the Ekweremadu case, said it was not the tradition of the government to interfere with judicial proceedings.
His words: “It has never been the tradition of the Nigerian government to interfere in anything judicial, local or international. And that stand is the position of the government.
“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.”
Malami recalled a request which he said was passed through his office and was meant for delivery to the Crime Agency in the UK at the instance of Senator Ekweremadu.
He said he could not, however, say anything on the document because it was sealed and only passed through his office.
“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 said the former Deputy Senate President should be offered consular services as he is a Nigerian.
According to him, “If the request is made, we’ll look at its merits.”
Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were charged to court in the UK over alleged organ harvesting plot.
They were accused of plotting to have the kidney of a 21 years old man from Nigeria removed for their ailing daughter.
