Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has been denied bail by the Central Criminal Court in London.
The court gave its verdict at the pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, denying Ekweremadu bail on the grounds that he is a flight risk.
Reports reveal that the letter and assets forfeiture proceedings against the senator by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were sighted by the court.
Ekweremadu’s lawyer in the bail application had argued that the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the Attorney-General of the Federal had written to the court that Ekweremadu was not a flight risk.
It was also argued that a guarantee to produce the former deputy senator if he is deemed a flight risk was given.
Additionally, Ekweremadu’s defence stated that the Nigeria High Commission in the UK had equally given the option of tagging Ekweremadu electronically to monitor his movement.
In his argument, the lawyer said his client is respected by Nigerians and organisations, adding that Ekweremadu is a caring and responsible father who could not afford to escape from London, leaving his wife and daughter.
Despite Ekweremadu’s lawyer’s plea, the prosecution insisted that he is a flight risk, arguing that as a holder of international passports from two other countries, he could escape to any of the nations asides from Nigeria.
The trial will commence on January 31, 2023.