Justice A. Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal capital will rule on June 19, 2015 whether to grant bail for Franca Asemota, whose extradition to the United Kingdom is being sought by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Asemota is wanted by the UK government for trafficking of young women to Europe for prostitution, using London Heathrow airport as a transit hub.
The suspect was arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 24, 2015 in Benin, Edo State on suspicion of money laundering offences.
On arrest, checks on Asemota’s profile revealed that she had been on the wanted list of the National Crime Agency, UK.
Asemota’s counsel, Victor E. Ebonka while moving the bail application Tuesday, told the court that, the purported offence is bailable in Nigeria and the UK. Ebonka argued that his client is constitutionally entitled to bail.
According to him, “the accused person has not been investigated on the charges placed on her and therefore should not be locked up until investigation is completed”.
Ebonka further told the court that, the accused had a medical report from a hospital in Benin, Edo State and urged the court to consider her for bail for health reasons.
Responding, P.U Akuta from the Attorney General’s office, opposed the application, stating that a careful perusal of the medical report brought by the accused shows that the report was likely procured from a medical doctor who is not an expert in the field of the ailment the accused person claimed to be suffering from.
Akuta further told the court that, the detaining authority have enough medical facility and qualified personnel to meet the medical needs of the applicant.
Justice Kafarati, after listening to the arguments of both counsel adjourned for ruling on the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in EFCC custody.