The Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with the International Criminal Police Organisation have commenced the extradition process of two Indians, Jitendra Mamtora, and Satyen Mamtora, over an alleged fraudulent $25 million transformer deal.
The move followed the failure of the father and son, who are the Chairman and Managing Director of a company, Transformers and Rectifiers (Indian) Limited, to honour an invitation by the Nigeria Police Force over an indicting petition written against them.
Details of the extradition request were contained in a document written by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to Interpol through the Inspector General of Police, which was obtained by Sunday PUNCH.
The document read, “Re: Request for Extradition of Mr Jitendra Mamtora and Satyen Mamtora in a case of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and fraudulent conversion
“Re: An Application for Certified True Copies Of The Transmitted Request
“I write to refer to your correspondence reference number CR:3000/X/ICPO/FHQ/ABJ/THE/VOL.40/299 in respect of the above-mentioned subject.
“The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is pleased to forward the attached Certified True Copies of the transmitted documents as requested.
“Please accept the assurances of the warm regards and high esteem of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Zakariyya Muazu Gombe Esq, for: Assistant Director/Head, Central Authority Unit, International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department.”
About three years ago, a law firm, Lawlead Consult had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the alleged case of Criminal Breach of Trust and Forgery against the Indian firm, Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited in a $25 million transformer deal.
In the petition obtained by Sunday PUNCH, which was signed by Abubakar Ndakene, the law firm called for the investigation of the chairman of Transformers and Rectifiers (Indian) Limited, Jitendra Mamtora and the Managing Director, Satyen Mamtora to answer the allegations against them and their company.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started when Transformers and Rectifiers (Indian) Limited secured a $25 million transformer deal to supply transformers to the Transmission Company of Nigeria in a World Bank-funded project midwifed by their Nigerian agent, P-NEC Nigeria Ltd.
However, the company allegedly failed to pay the agreed commission of about 10 per cent to the Nigeria counterpart, P-NEC, which has since sparked a corporate firm battle and legal battle in 2020.
Meanwhile, Interpol, following the receipt of the petition and conclusion of its investigation, placed Jitendra Mamtora, and Satyen Mamtora on red alert notice which led to the arrest of Jitendra Mamtora in Italy.
However, following the detention of Jitendra Mamtora in Italy, he was moved to India and the Indian INTERPOL notified INTERPOL Nigeria of his arrival and requested that INTERPOL Nigeria follow diplomatic channels for the extradition of the suspect.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has since signed the extradition request.
