Ozekhome: Adoke’s arrest violates Interpol law

Mike Ozekhome, counsel of Mohammed Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the continuous detention of his client in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is against the provisions of enabling law of the international police organisation.

Ozekhome made this submission on behalf of his client before Danladi Senchi, a judge of the federal capital territory high court in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday.

Last month,  Interpol arrested Adoke  in Dubai, leading to confusion over the warrant of arrest that had already been vacated.

The senior lawyer, who was said to have arrived Dubai on Monday, November 11, for a scheduled medical check-up, was quizzed by the Interpol and then taken into custody.

“When his (Adoke’s) warrant of arrest was vacated on October 25, he felt he should go for medical checkup in Dubai. He was arrested there based on the earlier court warrant of arrest,” Ozekhome said.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the arrest contravenes chapter 3 of the Interpol Article because the warrant which formed the basis for the arrest had been vacated.

Ozekhome added that “all decent steps” to ensure Adoke’s release had been taken, including writing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Abubakar Malami, minister of justice; the UAE authorities and Interpol, but no positive result yet.

“It is the duty of the AGF to ensure that the rights of every Nigerian citizen are protected,” he said.

At the resumed court session which was scheduled for hearing an application brought by the former AGF praying the court to strike out his name from the OPL 245 case filed by the EFCC, his lawyer said the prosecution is yet to file their reply.

The judge adjourned the case till Wednesday to hear the application.

Adoke had said he was preparing to return to the country after releasing his book and attending to his health.

Adoke has been on self-exile since 2015, accusing the EFCC of trying to humiliate him and maintaining that he did no wrong in the OPL 245 affair.

He recently published his memoirs, “Burden Of Service: Reminiscences of Nigeria’s former Attorney-General”, detailing his role in the OPL 245/Malabu Oil deal as well as other events that happened in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, which he served as AGF from 2010 to 2015.