Trouble Looms, UK To Probe CJN Ariwoola’s London Trip, Revoke Tinubu’s Visa
Trouble Looms, UK To Probe CJN Ariwoola’s London Trip, Revoke Tinubu’s Visa
A Nigerian lawyer based in the U.S. has asked the UK government to look into the alleged medical trip made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola, to London, where he had intended to meet President-elect Bola Tinubu secretly.
Emmanuel Ogebe wrote to the UK authorities requesting action after exposed a planned meeting between Mr Tinubu and Nigeria’s Supreme Court’s chief justice in London to discuss escalating legal disputes contesting the validity of the results that gave Mr Tinubu victory at the February 25 presidential election.
Informing the UK government of how Nigerian politicians had turned Britain into a rendezvous for evil political schemes, Mr Ogebe urged the UK authorities to investigate the CJN’s illness claims and revoke Mr Tinubu’s visa.
“Nigeria’s politicians have of late made your kingdom’s capital Mecca for their political machinations,” Mr Ogebe stated. “Senator Tinubu, in particular, had numerous meetings, consultations and strategy sessions in London in the run-up to the elections, as did others.”
The lawyer accused Mr Tinubu of making inciting statements during one of his numerous meetings in London, which later materialised in many Nigerians being ethnically profiled, attacked and prevented from voting against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Political power is not to be served in a restaurant. It’s not served a la carte. It’s what we are doing,” Mr Ogebe recalled Mr Tinubu’s statement. “Fight for it. Grab it. Snatch it and run with it.”
The U.S.-based lawyer added, “This London declaration was graphically and murderously played out weeks later in Nigeria and especially in Lagos, Mr Tinubu’s stronghold, where voters were ethnically profiled, beaten and even killed as attested to by international observers.”
Consequently, the lawyer asked the British government to “restrict the visa of Senator Tinubu from coming to the UK for his party’s role in the violent and deadly suppression of voters in Lagos state, including the murder of a Labour party polling agent at the Trade Fair area.”
The restriction would require Mr Tinubu to reapply for a UK visa, primarily for official visits, if he becomes president.
“If he is sworn in as president and obtains a diplomatic passport, he can reapply for a UK visa for official visits thereafter,” the lawyer stressed.
For Mr Ariwoola, Mr Ogebe urged the foreign government to confirm whether the jurist indeed received “any medical attention as claimed.”
The lawyer said it was critical of the foreign government to help Nigeria address “attempted trafficking in injustice.”
