Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over alleged contempt of Nigerian court judgments.
The decision of the parliament to commence the probe may not be unconnected to the continued inclusion of the name of billionaire businessman, Mr. Benedict Peters, in corruption allegations from which both Nigerian and UK courts have cleared him.
The resolution of the House followed the consideration of a petition presented on Thursday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Imo Ugochinyere, accusing the UK agencies of undermining Nigeria’s judicial sovereignty and violating international legal norms.
The petition, submitted by the Africa Centre for Defense of Justice and Judicial Process, condemned what it described as the “continued persecution and malicious inclusion” of Peters’ name in the ongoing criminal trial of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, before a UK court.
The group alleged that the NCA and CPS had acted “in gross contempt” of subsisting Nigerian court judgments that exonerated Peters of any wrongdoing or association with illicit funds or properties allegedly linked to Diezani.
It cited the charge sheet in R. v. Diezani Alison-Madueke (URN No: 01NB1110815, Compass ID: 16267145, dated August 10, 2023), in which the UK authorities were said to have “maliciously” included Peters’ name despite clear judicial pronouncements to the contrary.
According to the petition, Multiple Nigerian courts and UK legal processes had cleared Peters of allegations regarding the ownership of certain foreign properties, including those at 5 Parkview, St. John’s Wood, London; Flat 58 Harley House, Marylebone Road, London; and Unit #4204, 270 17th Street, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
“The continued inclusion of Mr. Peters’ name in the indictment is a flagrant violation of the rule of law and a calculated attempt to malign a respected African entrepreneur and philanthropist,” the petition stated.
It further alleged that the UK authorities’ actions amounted to an attack on Nigeria’s judicial independence, citing the UK’s own acknowledgment in a May 7, 2025 letter that Peters and his companies should be removed from the restraint order.
However, in a subsequent communication dated July 18, 2025, the CPS reportedly reversed that position, claiming that Nigerian court decisions could not bind the UK prosecution — a stance Nigerian lawmakers described as “an affront to sovereignty.”
Quoting the petition, Ugochinyere said, “This House must protect the integrity of our judicial system and ensure that judgments of Nigerian courts are not treated with contempt by foreign agencies.
“No authority has the right to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty or weaponize the criminal justice system against innocent citizens.”
The House consequently resolved to refer the matter to its Committee on Public Petitions for a full public hearing and investigation.
The committee is expected to invite the NCA, CPS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Attorney-General of the Federation, and Mr. Benedict Peters or his representatives to testify.
The committee has been directed to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
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