London, it was that a haughty sharp-tongued politician was crated and packaged for delivery back to Nigeria before he was rescued. London it was that Governor Dariye was reportedly arrested and granted bail for money laundering. Currently, London plays host to Governor-General Alams who was arrested and his travel documents confiscated to prevent him from fleeing before his arraignment on November 16. But in a truly dramatic fashion, the lawyers got an order from the court declaring the police without authority to prescribe conditions for bail.

Illegal Arrest?

A spokesman of Bayelsa State Government, Mr Preye Wariowei acting chief press secretary to the governor is reported to have said that it was a slap on the sovereignty of Nigeria for the governor to be denied consular services, and deplored misleading reports on the governor’s travails in London. He says “For over a week now, especially since September 15, 2005, we have been battling with a terrible crisis to the effect that the State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeigha, was unlawfully arrested by the London Metropolitan Police and interrogated on allegations of money laundering.” What a pity indeed if those were the facts. Why would the police who are normally friendly in London just pick on one person out of a crowd, arrest him and search his home in London? Not only would the police be violating his person, they would also be violating his castle. But if the search is as a result of a tip-off that proceeds of a crime are about to be laundered in London and the police physically found on the suspect, a reasonable person, cash of up to a million pounds, then there may be raised eye-brows. The police may then ask what the person’s profession is. The governor of a state is accorded some respect. So what brings the governor to London? To recuperate from a surgery in Germany. Does the good governor live in London? Yes, he had bought a house in London since whenever.... May we see the title papers? When was the house bought? Who is the governor’s mortgage company? It was probably bought in cash. Okay? In these nifty times? Okay!

Political Holiday Homes

The elitist practice of acquisition of homes abroad has become the norm among politicians in spite of the law against it and the devalued Naira cost. It would not matter if the person was independently wealthy and not a public servant in Nigeria. Bill Gates is a known Billionaire. He is also known and associated with the products of Microsoft Corporation. Bill Gate’s acquisition of real estate in London or any city in the world would not be news worthy. But if you are a governor of a state in Nigeria with no product, no invention, and no internationally known business but carrying one million pounds in cash; then hello!

The Rule of Law

The rule of law presumes the accused person innocent until proved guilty in a democracy which Britain ascribes to. Charges of money laundering are just that, charges. It means the police investigators are saying that in their collation of facts, they are of the opinion that a law has been broken and the person associated with those sets of facts is Alams. The question of the personality or position of Alams is bandied as facts that put him above this law because he is a sitting governor of Bayelsa State in Nigeria and as such has sovereign Immunity.

What the public is not aware of is; how the money in Alams’ possession came to be construed as proceeds of crime and who is the complainant? The governor is said to have immunity by his lawyers and supporters because he represents the people of Nigeria. The people of Nigeria are complaining in articles in newspapers and on the internet that money is being stolen by politicians and laundered in London and that the City of London and the British Government and banks are receivers of stolen property. Alams crime, if any is proved, is against the public in whose interest and sovereignty he asserts immunity. Does he have immunity? In the International Criminal Court, we have the war crimes Tribunal where leaders who commit genocide are brought for trial for their actions against the people in the name of the people. Sovereign Immunity does not avail such persons in the same manner as if you would use a diplomatic bag to smuggle drugs across international borders.

Trial in London

The London Courts are not bound by Nigerian Law. As a matter of courtesy, in my view, they may inform the Nigerian Consular office. The British system of justice is being actively watched by Nigerians, many of whom have been investigated for various cross-border crimes inclusive of 419. Nigerians would want to know if the culture of Sacred Cows was passed down as an heirloom from the Colonial Office to the present government of President Obasanjo. The London Metropolitan Police had let Dariye off the hook who remains unrepentant and loud in his protestation of innocence in far away Nigeria. As events unfold, the Nigerians are keenly interested in “Common law, Equity and Good Conscience”; to see how much of the law is common; what equity would be applied and if the result leaves the British court system with a good conscience.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Link to the article is here Posted by Robot| 28.09.2005 19:22

Guest Iheanyi s.

# 2 It is unfortunate that while the masses are groaning under the reform programmes that are tailored to \"better their lot later\" their leaders are indulging themselves presently and impudently too. Some of us are pretending to be outraged that the london police could do this to a public servant who enjoys immunity and carries a dplomatic passport. the truth is that we are very happy that the drama is unfolding satisfactorily. However we should be carefull that this does not backfire on us. what is good for the goose.......... many indicted serving and past public servants have cases to answer as do many yet undisclosed cases and undiscovered public officials with intergrity problems. We are witnessing monumental stealing in the finance sector especialy the Banks who are supposed to represent integrity itself. The cases of Bond Bank, assurance Bank and others is in itself an indication to the values attached to flamboyance, affluence etc. that are direct results of sudden wealth. in direct conflict with this behavoiur is the death of real heroes in their fight against leadership apathy for the circumstances of the led. Kennedy said \"the circumstancs of man are not dictated by choice\"......... hmm... He was not in Nigeria at the time. Diepreye should defend himself well, over there \'o\' ..ahm..because he has to answer questions for us when he returns. Other countries should stop paying lip service to the fight against human vices. Corruption is the first step to terrrorism. Uncle Sam should take very seriuos notes. Posted by Guest Iheanyi s.| 29.09.2005 03:27

Ula-Lisa

# 3 Iheanyi, You wrote, \"However we should be carefull that this does not backfire on us. what is good for the goose.......... many indicted serving and past public servants have cases to answer as do many yet undisclosed cases and undiscovered public officials with intergrity problems.\" While I am still struggling with the import of your words above, in general, giving the words their ordinary meaning; I do not see how by the greatest stretch of the imagination the fight against corruption, especially Money Laundering, can backfire. Further, such public officials that have integrity issues should not be trusted with the resources of the commonweal, simple. You do not give a tiger raw meat to guard. Mba! Posted by Ula-Lisa| 29.09.2005 10:56

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 4 Terfa Ula-Lisa Esq. You succinctly stated.... in the several paragraphs that I have excerpted below: \"The governor is said to have immunity by his lawyers and supporters because he represents the people of Nigeria. The people of Nigeria are complaining in articles in newspapers and on the internet that money is being stolen by politicians and laundered in London and that the City of London and the British Government and banks are receivers of stolen property. Alams crime, if any is proved, is against the public in whose interest and sovereignty he asserts immunity. Does he have immunity? In the International Criminal Court, we have the war crimes Tribunal where leaders who commit genocide are brought for trial for their actions against the people in the name of the people. Sovereign Immunity does not avail such persons in the same manner as if you would use a diplomatic bag to smuggle drugs across international borders.\" You have put the unfolding saga in proper perspective....for even the BLIND to see....what the facts are! Well done! Those who come claim immunity should learn to obey the constitution and laws first! Somebody should inform the governor and his supporters, that those who come to equity should come with clean hands...shall we still assume that the governor\'s hands are pristine? Despite the fact that he had $3.2 million from his candle factory? or public treasury exporting company? Posted by I Love Nigeria| 29.09.2005 14:05