ABUJA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The ECOWAS Court on Wednesday has dismissed two motions brought before it by the Cape Verdean government over the release of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab.
The Cape Verdean government, after the ECOWAS Court had ruled, ordering them to release the businessman, filed for a review of the March 15 decision.
They wanted a reversal of the Court’s decision on the matter and allow them to continue with the extradition processes of Saab.
But the ECOWAS Court on Wednesday has rejected the basis for which the Cape Verdean government wanted a review.
The court affirmed that the Red Notice from Interpol for the arrest of Saab was issued after the arrest.
The court also stated that it was competent in delivering a ruling on the matter.
Lead lawyer for Saab at the ECOWAS Court, Femi Falana SAN, has welcomed the decision from the court.
He has called on the Cape Verdean government to immediately act on the ruling and release Saab.
“I am delighted that in dismissing Cape Verde’s application, the Honorable court has underlined that its decision of 15th March in terms of the illegality of Ambassador Saab’s detention must be respected by Cape Verde. The Defence team now calls upon the competent authorities for Cape Verde to comply with the ECOWAS Court’s decision, immediately release Alex Saab and end the politically motivated extradition,” Femi Falana SAN told the media after the ruling.
The ECOWAS Court presided over by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, on March 15 ordered Cape Verde to stop procedures that will see Alex Saab extradited to the United States of America to face criminal charges.
The court also slapped Cape Verde with a $200,000 fine for the wrongful arrest and detention of Saab.
Cape Verdean authorities have failed to comply with the ruling.
Cape Verde’s Supreme Court, days after the March 15 ruling, permitted the government to continue with the extradition processes of Saab. — NNN-AGENCIES
