$1.1bn Malabu oil scandal: FG seeks arrest warrant for Adoke

.Re-arraigns El-Zakzaky’s CSO, two others

The Federal Government on Monday approached the Federal High Court Abuja Division for guidance on whether to seek warrant of arrest against the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
Also, the Federal Government on Monday re-arraigned Haruna Abbas, the Chief Security Officer to Ibraheem El-Zak-zaky, the leader of Shi’ite Movement in Nigeria and two others for acts of terrorism before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court Abuja.
At the resumed hearing before Justice John Tsoho, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Johnson Ojogbane, told the court that the Federal Government is experiencing some difficulties in serving Adoke since he is outside the jurisdiction of the court.
He said: “I would like to request for a warrant of arrest of the first defendant. I will appreciate if my lord will guide me because I actually wanted to make an application for a warrant of arrest. I also want the court to guide me on whether I can do that orally or come by way of a motion.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has the power to arrest anybody anywhere but when the person is not within the jurisdiction of the court, (outside the country) it becomes difficult,” Ojogbane added.
He also told the court that if the order seeking to arrest Adoke is granted, it will become easier for the security agents to liaise with the International Police (InterPol) to initiate extradition moves.
Justice Tsoho after listening to the submissions told the Federal Government to make a proper application before the court, adding that such applications are not done orally.
The judge also said that if Adoke was already arraigned before the court and was attempting to escape, it would have been proper to issue such a warrant.
“Once a person has been arraigned before a court and is attempting to escape, then it becomes necessary to issue a warrant of arrest; but in this case, Adoke has not been arraigned before this court. The matter is still at the investigative stage so such an order is not necessary,” Justice Tsoho held.
The court however adjourned to June 13 for arraignment.
It would be recalled that the EFCC had in December 2016, charged nine suspects, including the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, over the issue.
Adoke was accused of illegally transferring more than $800 million purportedly meant for the purchase of the OPL 245 to former Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete and Malabu Oil.
The Federal Government had also on March 2, 2017, filed fresh charges against two multinational oil firms, Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited and Agip Nigeria Exploration Limited, for alleged complicity in the Malabu $1.1 billion scandal.
Others charged along-side the two oil giants are former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke; former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete; Aliyu Abubakar, ENI SPA, Ralph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujatti Stefeno, Burrafati Sebestiano and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.
Also on Monday, the Federal government re-arraigned Haruna Abbas, the Chief Security Officer to Ibraheem El-Zak-zaky, the leader of Shi’ite Movement in Nigeria and two others for acts of terrorism before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The defendants: Haruna Abbas, Ibrahim Musa and Adam Suleiman, have been facing trial on seven count charges before Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is currently himself on trial over bribery related offences.
The Daily Times learnt that the defendant’s case file was among other cases transferred from Justice Ademola’s court.
Prosecution counsel, Miss Chike Nnenna, told the court that the matter was starting afresh though the charge bore its initial date, Nov. 5, 2014.
She urged the court to accept the charge and allow same be read to the defendants for their plea.
The defendants were on Monday re-arraigned on an amended 8-count criminal charge for allegedly supporting terrorism between 2009 and 2013 by agreeing to send people for terrorist training in Iran contrary to Section 4, of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013.
The defendants were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves to do an act preparatory to an act of terrorism, by obtaining Nigeria’s International passport and Iranian Visa for purpose of travelling to Iran for terrorist training.
Haruna Ali Abbas was said to have recruited and transported talented-spotted young men including Ibrahim Husseini Musa and Adams Suleiman and others now at large to Iran for terrorism training.
They were also alleged to have carried out surveillance on United States of America and Israeli Embassies preparatory to terrorism attack.
But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them in court by the court clerk.
The prosecution counsel therefore prayed the court for a date to call witness and for an order directing the 2nd defendant, Ibrahim Musa, who has been in DSS custody to be moved to Kuye prisons where the 1st and 3rd defendants are being held.
Attempts by defence lawyers to move an oral bail application was refused by the trial judge who insisted it must be formal application.
Trial has been adjourned for May 11 to hear motion.