Anthony Iwuoma
The Federal Government has said it would not interfere in the trial of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, over alleged organ harvesting in the United Kingdom.
Responding to a question ,on Thursday, at the 46th Session of the State House Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, said the Federal Government was not in the habit of interfering in anything judicial, local or international, adding that the FG would depend on the mutual legal assistance, understanding between Nigeria and the UK in handling the issue.
“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 said.
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“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.”
However, the AGF added that if Ekweremadu seeks for consular services as he is Nigerian, it would be looked into on its merit.
Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were arrested by the UK Metropolitan Police and charged to court for allegedly conspiring to harvest the organ of a minor.