Audio By Carbonatix
Trinidad and Tobago's Attorney General has signed Authority to Proceed (ATP) documents, clearing the way for extradition proceedings against ex-FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner, who is wanted in the United States on corruption charges, a court has heard.
The case was then adjourned until Friday after lawyers asked for time to review the documents. Warner is among nine officials of world football's governing body, along with five sports marketing executives indicted by U.S. prosecutors.
He faces 12 charges related to racketeering and bribery. U.S. authorities have asked for him to be extradited in order to face the charges. Warner was arrested on a provisional warrant in May.
Warner, the former president of CONCACAF, the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean and an ex-FIFA vice-president, has denied all wrongdoing.
The 72-year-old is also at the center of one of the key elements in the indictment - a $10 million payment from South African football officials to CONCACAF, which U.S prosecutors allege was linked to Warner's support for South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
Lawyers for Warner asked Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington to discharge their client because Attorney General Faris Al Rawi missed a Sept. 16 deadline for signing the ATP.
Queens Counsel James Lewis, representing the state, however, said that there was no reason to discharge Warner since the documents were now signed. Wellington asked for time to review the documents and the arguments from lawyers representing the state.
Al Rawi was sworn into office on Sept. 9, two days after the People's National Movement (PNM) won the general elections.
On Sept. 16, he communicated with the Chief Magistrate's office that he needed additional time to make a final decision on the ATP documents.
Warner, a former government minister, lost his seat in Trinidad and Tobago parliamentary in elections earlier this month.
-
Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @Joy997FM. Our hashtag is #JoySports
Latest Stories
-
Free speech: MFWA slams ‘weaponisation’ of state laws
21 minutes -
NITA defends ICT fees, rejects claims of ‘digital coup’
21 minutes -
UN releases $60m from central fund to tackle lethal Ebola outbreak
33 minutes -
“Put people first” – Vice-President tells global financial giants at ACI Congress
2 hours -
Vice-President commissions 100 new Metro Mass buses
3 hours -
“You do not need my permission” – Bagbin clears misconception over arresting MPs
3 hours -
Ice baths, almond milk, meditation and a ‘house like a hospital’: The secrets of Salah’s success
3 hours -
This Saturday on Prime Insight: GN Savings and Loans licence restoration and the Abronye bail debate
4 hours -
Putin vows retaliation after accusing Ukraine of hitting student dormitory
5 hours -
2026 ACI World Congress: In Accra, a quiet reframe of how emerging markets see themselves
5 hours -
No break-in, no theft at Ashaiman showroom – Hisense Ghana clarifies
5 hours -
This Saturday on Newsfile: Attack on free speech and return of GN Bank
6 hours -
Opinion: The evidence before High Court continues to expose weakness of the Republic’s case against Wontumi
6 hours -
Ebola risk raised to ‘very high’ in DR Congo
6 hours -
I recommended Haruna and Muntaka for ministerial roles — Asiedu Nketia
6 hours