THIS IS SERIOUS.

Leadership (Abuja)
Abiodun Oluwarotimi ,17 May 2010


The UK police has denied it neither consulted with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), nor sought the advice or collaboration of the commission in the arrest of James Ibori, the former governor of Delta State. Ibori was arrested in Dubai last week on UK warrants . Mrs. Farida Waziri.

The Metropolitan Police Public Access Office wrote in an e-mail sent to LEADERSHIP New York correspondent yesterday, "Dear Mr. Oluwarotimi, I am confirming the receipt of your request and I Wish to state that the Metropolitan Police does not have any agreement with the EFCC as stated in your question. Is there any other thing you want me to do for you? Many thanks. John Weild MPS Public Access Office".

An officer of the Metropolitan Police Public Access Office, Mrs. Remii, told our correspondent in a telephone chat that there was no collaboration of such between the EFCC and the UK Police.

The UK police authoritatively declared yesterday that contrary to media reports that have been generated by EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, concerning the agency's role in the Ibori arrest in Dubai, the action was purely undertaken in partnership between the UK police and UAE authorities.

Ibori is currently on bail in Dubai while awaiting an extradition trial that might see him face criminal prosecution in London.

Authorities of the Metropolitan Police said they couldn't have trused Waziri enough to reveal such a high -level operation to her in advance.

The Metropolitan Police also revealed that they do not have any officers on the "ground" that would be working with the delegation the EFCC is reported to be sending to Dubai, pointing out that most of the extradition work would be handled through diplomatic channels between the governments of the UAE and the UK.

The officers said the process of extradition would involve them only when their application becomes successful, at which point they would need to go to Dubai to pick up Ibori for his long overdue UK trial.
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Several UK extradition experts have revealed that according to the UK/UAE extradition treaty signed in 2008, the extradition process must be completed within 60 days.

UK diplomatic sources said that it was their expectation that Ibori would be in remand for the duration of the extradition process as he might attempt to flee Dubai, noting that one of his jets has already been put on standby in Dubai in case his escape from the UAE becomes successful.

UK officials vowed to make representations to the UAE authorities to protest the bail granted Ibori last week, as it violates the terms of the 2008 extradition treaty.

The UK will be sending written evidence to the host country (UAE) and will appoint a prosecutor to represent her at the extradition hearing.