The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has refused the bail application of Emmanuel Okoyomon, the former Managing Director, Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company (NSMPC).
Okoyomon is facing corruption charges in the United Kingdom.
Justice Mohammed Mustapha, in his ruling, held that the poor health canvassed by Okoyomon as reasons for bail was not sufficient.
The appellate court held that it was the duty of the Nigerian Prison not only keep a detainee, but to also cater for their medical attention as well as feeding.
“Being sick is never an excuse for bail because the prison is not only to keep detainees but to cater for their health, and every detainee must be treated when ever such detainee is sick.
“Let me say here that court must not encourage prison to derelict in its duties of providing medical care for inmates whenever the inmates are sick, except on special ground where medical facilities to treat a special ailment is not available,’’ he said.
The court held that the there was no circumstantial reasons to grant the application.
Mustapha said it was true that Okoyomon had been taken to Asokoro District Hospital, but said that it was the duty of the prison to continue to do so instead of shifting the responsibility to the court.
He said Okoyomon would remain in prison pending the determination of the appeal, he filed against the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, that granted his extradition to the UK.
It will be recalled that Okoyomon had asked the appeal court to reverse the ruling of the lower court which acceded to the request of the Federal Government to extradite him to the UK.
Okoyomon, in a Notice of Appeal by his lawyer, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), contended that the judge erred in law when he ordered the extradition of the appellant to Great Britain to stand criminal trial.
He also urged the court to stay execution of the extradition order of Justice Evoh Chukwu delivered on May 4, 2015.
