Nigeria Formally Asks Interpol To Extradite Ribadu, EL-Rufai

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE OGBONNAYA ONOVO.

Abuja (THEWILL) - The Nigerian government has said it has issued international arrest warrants for Nasir El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu, both former officials of the Obasanjo administration for failing to appear in court to answer to charges, which some observers have described as controversial.

THEWILL had exclusively reported on Monday that the Inspector General of Nigerian Police, Ogbonaya Onovo had signed a warrant for the arrest of the men since November 5, 2009.

Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said the police had contacted Interpol to assist in extraditing the former officials who are strong critics of the present administration.

Nasir El Rufai, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a note made available to THEWILL said he would return on December 27, 2009, while Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has described the charges against him as frivolous and an abuse of judicial process, saying he will not appear before the court as he did declare his assets while in office.

There are also indications that Interpol may not cooperate with the Nigerian government on the request considering that both men are currently residing in London. A London police source that is familiar with the development said the request for assistance will not be granted.

The Nigerian Department of Justice and its United Kingdom counterpart have had squabbles over the trials of associates of former Delta governor James Ibori in a London court.

Meanwhile Femi Falana has said the warrants are a joke and will only ridicule the government. He urged the administration to withdraw it saying that El-Rufai has said he would arrive in the country this month and the Code of Conduct Bureau has said Nuhu Ribadu declared his assets.