A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to enable him travel abroad for a three-week medical treatment.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola gave the order on Tuesday in a ruling on an application by Dasuki seeking for the release of his passport.
Dasuki, who is standing trial for alleged possession of firearms and money laundering, had deposited the passport with the court registrar as part of conditions for his bail.
In the ruling, Ademola directed the registrar to release the passport to Dasuki to enable him travel abroad for the medical treatment.
He said the applicant should return the travel document to the court within 72 hours of his return to the country.
The judge, however, ordered that the applicant must produce a surety to be approved by the court in case he absconds.
Alternatively, Ademola said the accused lawyer should sign an undertaking to produce him at the next adjourned date.
It will be recalled that Dasuki had been released on bail on self recognition.
“The surety or the lawyer must give consent and guarantee that the man returns to face his trial and if he did not the surety will take the accused position,” the judge said.
Ademola held that the applicant has the right to seek for medical treatment anywhere he so wishes.
He said that the letter brought by the prosecution stating that the ailment of the accused could be treated in National Hospital, Abuja had no value and it was a mere public notice.
Ademola adjourned till November 26 for ruling on another motion before the court seeking secret trial of the accused
