An Ikeja High Court on Monday granted permission to an accused, Alex Okoh, to travel to the U.S. for a business conference.
Okoh is charged alongside the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Ltd., Wale Babalakin, over the alleged transfer of N4.7 billion on behalf of former Delta Governor, James Ibori.
They are being prosecuted alongside their companies – Stabilini Visioni Ltd., Bi-Courtney Ltd. and Renix Nigeria Ltd. by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The accused persons are facing a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action.
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, ruling on an application filed by Okoh’s counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), ordered the EFCC to release his international passport.
The judge held that since the EFCC did not oppose the application for permission to travel, Okoh’s passport should be released to enable him embark on the trip between May 14 and May 30. “The applicant is to return the documents to the custody of the EFCC on or before June 6,” the judge said.
In another development, hearing of the applications filed by the accused, seeking to dismiss the charges against them, was adjourned due to the absence of the EFCC’s lead counsel.
The lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had sent a letter to the court explaining that he was handling another criminal matter in an Ikeja High Court.
Jacobs had, therefore, asked the court to adjourn the proceedings to enable him to personally hear the arguments of the defence counsel in support of the applications.
Responding, Babalakin’s counsel, Dr Tunde Layonu (SAN), opposed the EFCC’s request for an adjournment, insisting that the defence was ready to move the applications.
In a short ruling, the judge held that the proper thing to do was to allow Jacobs to be present at the hearing of the applications.
“I think on the strength of this letter that the matter should be adjourned,” Lawal-Akapo said.
He consequently adjourned the matter till June 19, for hearing of all pending applications. (NAN)
Comments