Open Letter to President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua

Re: Open Letter to President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua

June 20, 2007

Dear Mr. President,

Belated congratulations on your inauguration into office.

It has been over two years since we were mandated by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (‘FRN’) to Poland to provide legal and other service to represent the Federal Government of Nigeria (‘FGN’) in the Matter of the late Michael Lekare WAYI, a senior diplomat slain in cold blood inside the grounds of the Embassy of the FRN, in Prague, Czech Republic.

As your office may already be aware, all of our attempts to reach the relevant ministry as well as your office in connection with the above matter for payment of long overdue invoice has been futile, thus, we are hoping that this avenue will suffice to reach you directly for immediate intervention in the settlement of our long due invoice.

Without going into details and as stated afore, we were mandated by HE, Ambassador to Poland and the Czech Republic (‘CR’) to represent the FGN as well as the family of the deceased. We have satisfactorily provided the services to FRN in defense of the matters, the matter has ended in our favour with the defendant been found guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Our invoice (expenses and fees), however, have not been paid. Expenses include travel to Nigeria, consultation with head of legal, MFA; MOJ and other agencies; communication, flights (international and domestic), accommodation, translation services, copies of evidences (including DVD/video), hiring of ballistic, medical and legal experts. It is grossly unfair and borders on illegality for a Nigerian in Diaspora to provide services, incur huge debts and not be paid.

Ironically, the late Mr. WAYI was murdered, the alleged non-payment of investment. We plead that you intervene and ask the relevant ministry to immediately make payment for our services and expenses. It is very sad to note that when the FGN’s own publicity to induce Nigerians in Diaspora is tested, it fails to meet the FGN own commitments in this regard.

Thank you in advance for your prompt action in the above matter. Long live democracy, long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and long live Mr. President.

We remain your servant,

Edward Asu, Esq., LL.M., FCMI
Lead Counsel for the FGN in the Matter of Michael Lekare WAYI,

Sokolovska 234/899

Praha 9 – Liben

190 00

Czech Republic

emajr@post.cz