$1.06b Malabu Oil Block: Adoke’s illness stalls EFCC’s interrogation

*Commission sends doctor to attend to him
* Lawyer wants suspect transferred to a medical facility, demands
bail

The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr.
Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), is down with an illness in the custody
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), TheNation
report.

Adoke is said to be having spinal pain. He was arrested by the
agency on Thursday in Abuja, moments after he returned to Nigeria
from Dubai. He has since been undergoing interrogation on the sale
of the $1.06b Malabu Oil Block. But the interrogation was suspended
yesterday following the illness, The Nation learnt Saturday night.
The EFCC has sent a doctor and other medics to attend to the health
challenge.

Sources said the grilling of the ex-AGF might resume on Sunday
if he is fit enough to withstand the rigours of interrogation. The
doctor’s opinion was being awaited last night. Adoke’s counsel,
Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) wants him transferred to a medical
facility. He also wants the ex-AGF granted an administrative bail.
But the anti-graft commission has asked Ozekhome to submit a formal
letter on his demands tomorrow for consideration on merit. The EFCC
has restricted access to Adoke, especially by lawyers, in order to
give him a breathing space. Detectives of the EFCC had quizzed
Adoke between 11am and 1pm before observing a break.

But Adoke’s health deteriorated and could not resume for another
grilling session at 2pm. A top source, who spoke in confidence,
said: “We had resumed the quizzing of Adoke in the presence of a
senior lawyer from Ozekhome’s chambers, Mr. Benson Igbanoi. But the
ex-minister complained of spinal challenge, especially back pain,
and we could no longer go ahead with his interrogation. “A medical
doctor and other medics were provided by the EFCC to attend to the
former AGF. They are already tending to his health challenge.

“We are giving him the best medical care befitting of his
status. This is to show that EFCC is always adopting international
best practices in its operation.

“We are also aware of a common pattern among Politically Exposed
Persons (PEPs) to fall sick as soon as they are called to account
for their tenure. But we will give Adoke the benefit of doubt. “We
are hopeful that Adoke’s interrogation will continue on Sunday
(today) if his health is stable enough.”

When contacted, Ozekhome said: “We are appealing to the EFCC to
transfer Adoke to a medical facility where he can receive adequate
attention. We have also requested for an administrative bail for
him. “The truth is that Adoke is medically unwell. His health
challenge in detention has proved that he did not go for shopping
in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He went for medical treatment
where INTERPOL intercepted him. “But the EFCC said it cannot
receive any letter at weekends. We will approach the commission on
our requests formally on Monday. If granted bail, I can assure you
that our client will make himself available to EFCC any time.”

EFCC on Friday secured an order from Justice Othman Musa of the
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to detain Adoke for 14
days. This followed an ex-parte application by the Acting Chairman
of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu through a three-man legal team comprising
Aisha A. T. Habib; Faruk Abdullahi and Fatima Mustapha. The motion
was brought “pursuant to Section 6(6) and 35 (1c) of the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended).
The EFCC sought for an “order remanding the suspect (Adoke) in the
custody of the EFCC for 14 days pending investigation.”