Hearing begins on ex-MINT boss extradition case today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it would today (Monday) present a former Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Security, Minting and Printing Company, Mr. Ehidiamhem Okoyomon, for extradition before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The top source at the EFCC told our correspondent on Sunday that the extradition was demanded by the government of UK over his alleged involvement in bribery.

The bribery saga alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2008 involves officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company and Securency International Pty of Australia (now Innovia Security Pty Limited)

The source said, 'The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, will on Monday, October 13, 2014 present Ehidiamhem Okoyomon, a former managing director and chief executive officer, Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company, for extradition before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

'Okoyomon's extradition is being sought by the UK government over his alleged role in the bribery allegation involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company, and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.'

The EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Ujaren, confirmed this to our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday.

A source at the EFCC had said on September 29, 2014, that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation was facilitating the process of extradition of the former MINT boss to the UK 'under a mutual legal assistance request by the British Government.' Punch