N2.8b fraud: She may escape – EFCC oppose NAMA director’s wife’s request to travel

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to reject a request for medical trip abroad by a staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency standing trial for money laundering.

The wife of one the directors of NAMA, Joy Adegorite, had pleaded with the court to allow her travel overseas for medical attention.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on April 12 arraigned the Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdusalam, and six others over alleged N2.8 billion fraud before Justice Babs Kuewunmi.

They are facing a 21-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and money laundering.

The offences were alleged to have been committed between August 2013 and January 2016.

The six others charged with Abdusalam are Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Adegorite, Bola Akinribido and Sesebor Abiodun.

Five companies – Randville Investment Limited, Multeng Travels and Tours Limited, Delosa Limited, Airsea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedule System Limited – were also charged with the defendants.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bails.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, counsel to Adegorite, the fifth accused, A.B. Onifade, informed the court of his application, seeking the release of his client’s passport.

Onifade said Adegorite needed to travel to Dubai for medical treatment.

According to him, the woman is suffering from acute sinusitis, asthma, hypertension and heart disease.

He said she had earlier scheduled a medical appointment before she was arrested in April.

The EFCC counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, however, opposed the application, describing it as a ploy to frustrate the trial.

Mohammed told the court that there were indications that the fifth defendant would jump bail and frustrate trial if allowed to travel.

Justice Kuewunmi has fixed July 15 for ruling on the application.

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