Ijaw youths on Tuesday vowed to resist the extradition of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesegha, to the United Kingdom to face alleged money laundering charges.
The British government recently wrote its Nigerian counterpart, requesting Alamieyesegha’s extradition to face trial.
But the youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, said they would not allow their kinsman to go and face fresh charges in UK.
The youths in a statement signed by their Spokesman, Mr.Eric Omare, alleged that the request was politically-motivated and instigated by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
They said: “The real brain behind the extradition request includes some key players in the Nigerian government, former President Obasanjo who wants to punish Chief Alamieyesegha for his recent statements on his ordeal in the past and because of Chief Alamieyesegha’s consistent opposition to the ruling party.
“The IYC also condemn Prof. Sagay, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption for justifying the extradition request by the UK government.
“It amounts to professional misconduct for Prof. Sagay who was one of Chief Alamieyeseigha’s lawyers during his arrest and subsequent trial in Nigeria to now be acting as an adviser to the federal government on same matter.
“Nigerians would recall that Prof. Sagay fell out with his old time friend and benefactor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi because of the arrest of Chief Alamieyesegha in London. Also, when Chief James Ibori was sentenced in London, he condemned the sentence for being excessive. Now same Prof. Sagay is singing a new song.
“We make bold to state that Prof. Sagay’s conduct is not only unprofessional but he also lacks consistency and integrity. Prof. Sagay is nothing but a man who speaks from any side of his mouth that meets his daily bread and no useful advise can come from a committee headed by such an inconsistent character.”