The ECOWAS court has reaffirmed its March 15 ruling directing Cape Verde to release businessman Alex Saab and cease any extradition process against him.
At a sitting on June 24, 2021, the court dismissed two applications filed by the government of Cape Verde for a review of the earlier judgement indicating their disagreement with it.
Cape Verde argued that the court in the March 15, 2021 ruling miscalculated the time zone in which the Interpol Red Notice was issued hence its claim that it effected the arrest before the Red Notice was issued.
Cape Verde again reiterated its view that the ECOWAS court did not have jurisdiction in the matter hence the ruling was erroneous.
But the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Januaria Tavares Silva Moreira invalidated the grounds for Cape Verde’s application.
The court reiterated its stance that it was competent and had jurisdiction in the matter. Also, it dismissed the claim that it miscalculated the time zones in which the Red Notice was issued.
Alex Saab is a businessman and Venezuelan diplomat arrested in June 2020 in Cape Verde while on his way to Iran.
Prior to his arrest, not much was known of him, but his arrest has sparked several debates and discussions.
He is known as a close ally to the Nicholas Maduro regime and the US government claims that he exploited his association with the government to engage in corrupt practices.
Cape Verde, has been trying to extradite him to the US to face charges there but the many litigations challenging the process since his arrest has not made that possible.
After the ECOWAS ruling in March 2021, the apex court in Cape Verde also delivered a counter-ruling giving approval for his extradition which is yet to be carried out.
The UN Human Rights Commission also recently directed Island country to halt any extradition process as it looks into the matter.
Meanwhile, the lead lawyer for Mr. Saab at the court, Femi Falana in commenting on the development called on Cape Verde to comply with the decision.
“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,” he said.
