SAN FRANCISCO, January 30, (THEWILL) – A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete for his involvement in the Malabu Oil scandal.
The presiding Judge, Idris Kutigi also ordered the arrest of two others; Munamuna Seidougha and Amaran Joseph following an exparte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The exparte application was brought pursuant to Section 3, 35, 36 and 37 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
READ ALSO: $1.09b Malabu Oil Deal: EFCC Seeks To Extradite Etete, Others
The anti-graft agency in an eight-paragragh affidavit, told the court that the order is needed to enable it arrest and extradite the defendants for prosecution over their alleged complicity in the Malabu oil deal.
The commission held that the charges against the three suspects involve over $1.09 billion Malabu Oil Block (OPL 245) Settlement Agreement, adding that there is prema facie evidence against them.
Justice Kutigi in granting the arrest order noted that it was imperative to do so in the interest of justice.
“I have carefully gone through the application…The application has merit and is granted as prayed,” the Judge ruled.
The anti-graft agency had named the trio in the 42 counts of the alleged fraudulent Malabu Oil transactions recently filed against the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), and six others.
THEWILL recalls that Adoke and two other defendants were granted bail earlier on Thursday.
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