The Federal High Court in Abuja has given another order for the release of the international passport of Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave the order on Friday, saying she took the decision after careful consideration of the arguments of counsel to the parties in the suit.
Mr Okupe is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 59 counts bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust to the tune of N702 million.
Also listed as co-defendants in the suit is Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abraham Telecoms Ltd.
The former presidential spokesman, through his counsel, Akinlabi Akingbade, had on February 11 filed a motion seeking the court order to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment between March 10 and May 24.
He also sought an order for the release of his international passport.
Akingbade, in his argument, said since Okupe was granted bail by the court on January 14, 2019, he had always attended all sittings and had not violated the terms of his bail.
The lawyer told the court that his client had the history of sick sinus syndrome which required a pacemaker implant.
“A cardiac pacemaker was consequently implanted on June 25, 2015, and the 1st defendant has required regular follow up check-ups with his doctors ever since,” he said.
The lawyer drew the court’s attention to what he called, ‘scandalous claim’ made by EFCC’s counsel in his written address, that “politicians want to travel abroad so as to relax with white ladies in Bahamas.”
EFCC’s counsel, Ibrahim Audu, urged the court to dismiss Okupe’s plea, saying it was a ploy to delay proceedings in the matter.
But Justice Ojukwu ordered the release of Okupe’s passport and ruled that he should travel between March 7 and April 30.
She also held that the applicant should submit the travel document within seven days of return.
The case was adjourned until May 19 and 20 for trial continuation.
