COURT ORDERS ARREST OF FORMER MINISTERS, ETETE, ADOKE, OTHERS OVER $1.1 BILLION MALABU SCANDAL
The officials allegedly involved in the scandal also include Mohammed Adoke, a former Minister of Justice and those declared wanted were Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefano, and Burrato Sebastiano.
Penpushing further reports that, the alleged suspects were meant to be arraigned to face charges related to the scandal on Wednesday, but failed to show up. It is recalled that, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had since 2017 pressed charges against Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Co. Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Eni Spa, Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno, Burrato Sebastiano, Duazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Etete), Mohammed Bello Adoke, Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited.
However, all the defendants repeatedly failed to appear before the court, and following their repeated absence in court, the commission through its counsel, Aliyu Yusuf, brought a motion ex parte praying the court for a warrant of their arrest, and an order for leave to execute the warrant outside of the jurisdiction of the court.
Penpushing also reports that, Justice D.Z Senchi on Wednesday, granted the prayers of the anti-graft agency, and ruled that the Nigeria Police, the INTERPOL and any other law enforcement agency ”should arrest them anywhere they were found including outside jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) High Court”.
Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to July 11, 2019, for further hearing.
