* Pix source: The Nigerian Voice
Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, today granted an application to release the international passport of former Minister of State for Defence, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, to enable her travel to Germany for medical treatment.
Akinjide is currently standing trial before a Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, alongside former Senator, Ayo Adeseun and one Chief Olanrewaju Otiti over alleged N650 million fraud.
Though, Akinjide was granted bail on self-recognizance, but the Presiding Judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, had ordered her to deposit her international passport pending the the conclusion of her trial.
In seeking the release of Akinjide’s passport today, her Lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), told the court that the application which was dated July 12, 2017, was based on the recommendation of the National Hospital, Abuja, which stated that her client needed foreign medical treatment.
He also sought an order of the court for the release of the passport to Akinjide, anytime she may need it for other foreign medical trips.
In urging the court to order the release of the passport by the EFCC, Ayorinde (SAN) told the court that the prosecutor have promised not to oppose the application.
He also told the court that his client is not a flight risk being a politician and that she will come back to the country to face the trial.
EFCC lawyer, Mohammed I. Aliyu, confirmed being served with the application, and informed the court that his Commission is not opposing the application.
But the Presiding Judge, Professor Obiozor, said the only condition that will make him to grant the application, is if Chief Ayorinde (SAN) will guarantee that the former Minister will return back to Nigeria aftre her treatment, which Ayorinde agreed to.
Upon agreeing to the court’s condition, Justice Obiozor ordered the EFCC to release the former Minister’s passport, to enable her travel to Germany for medical treatment.
The judge however, ordered that the former Minister must not stay beyond 30 days. While also refused the application to travel at any other time.
The former Minister, Akinjide, Senator Adeseun and Olanrewaju Otiti, are standing trial before an Ibadan Federal High Court, over alleged N650 million fraud.
The trio were arraigned alongside former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on a 12- count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful conversion and stealing of N650 million in the build up to the 2015 general elections.
During their arraignment, it was only Akinjide and Otiti that are present in court, and they both pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Following their not guilty plea , the court granted bail to Akinjide on self-recognisance, but ordered her to deposit her international passport
