Alamieyeseigha: EFCC Writes US for Visa

Justice Shuaib had earlier directed the commission to furnish him with the progress report on its efforts to fly the accused person abroad for a proposed medical treatment; which was done by Mr. Femi Aina, a counsel with the EFCC. The case has been adjourned to February 15, 2007.

Aina presented a six-paragraph letter with serial number CB: 3380/EFCC/LS/Vol 1/3 addressed to one Mark Johnson, an official of the US Consulate, and signed by Ibrahim Lamorde on behalf of the commission’s chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The letter read thus: “I write to request for your kind assistance in facilitating the passage of the above mentioned accused person (Dr. D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha) to United States for Medical treatment. He is currently standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos for offences bordering on Official Corruption and Money Laundering”.
“This request is necessitated by the need for him to be taken to the USA to be attended to at Cardio-vascular Care Group PA 114 Gateway Corporate Boulevard, Suite 410, Columbia, SC 29203 USA. It is important to note that his status remains that of a prisoner during his stay in the United States for the medical treatment. He will be brought back to Nigeria to face his trial at the end of the treatment. The Nigerian authorities will bear the cost of his transportation and treatment if this request is granted”, the letter explained.
Alamieyeseigha, currently standing trial before the court for offences bordering on official corruption and money laundering is reportedly suffering from heart related ailment, and was consequently referred to the above named hospital for adequate medical care.

The embattled former governor was impeached in December 2005. He and seven companies believed to be owned by him were subsequently arraigned before the court, on a 40-count charge of money laundering, illegal acquisition of property and false assets declaration. His failing health has since stalled his trial which was billed to commence last January (2006) as he has since then been on admission in a Lagos hospital.

Following his reported worsening health condition, his counsel Professor Alfred Kasunmu, SAN, last week applied that he be granted bail pending trial in order for him to attend to his health.

However, the application for his bail which came up for hearing yesterday could not be heard as his counsel asked for a short adjournment to enable him respond to the counter affidavit by the FG.

Justice Shuaib had refused an application brought by the former governor praying the court to grant him bail on ground of his failing health.

Following the medical reports, Professor Kasunmu, SAN, exhibited before the court, which showed that the ex-Governor is diabetic and is also suffering from coronary artery diseases, an infection which can only be effectively treated abroad, Justice Shuaibu had admitted that the illness of the accused is not in doubt, but refused him bail on reason that the facts placed before the court are not compelling enough to grant the application for bail.

He noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had exhibited materials from the British Metropolitan Police to the effect that the accused was granted bail in London where he was standing trial over money laundering but jumped bail, adding that the accused had failed to place incontrovertible materials before the court in that regard, and may not be available for trial if granted bail.