Following an application by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) seeking the release of the international passport of his client, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide,the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered its release to enable her to travel abroad for medical treatment. Akinjide, who was charged with an alleged fraud of N650m, had earlier deposited the passport in the court’s custody as part of the bail conditions granted her.
Ayorinde said the application dated July 12, 2017 was based on the recommendation of the National Hospital, Abuja, which stated that Akinjide needed a foreign medical treatment. “My Lord, the applicant is not a flight risk; she is a politician and she will come back to the country to face her trial,” Ayorinde said. Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mohammed Aliyu, did not oppose the application.
Before the judge granted Akinjide’s application, Ayorinde gave an undertaking that his client would return to Nigeria immediately after her treatment. Justice Obiozor granted Akinjide a 30-day travel permission.Recall the EFCC had on June 22, 2017 arraigned Akinjide and one Chief Olanrewaju Otiti before the Federal High Court in Ibadan.
The ex-minister was accused of conspiring with Otiti to launder a sum of N650m, which she allegedly collected out of the $115m allegedly doled out by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezaani Alison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general election. The EFCC said they acted contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundry Act, 2012 punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the Act. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the 24 counts levelled against them.
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