Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke is stranded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he tested positive for COVID-19, his lawyer Kanu Agabi has told a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adoke, who is facing money laundering charges, was granted permission to travel abroad for medical check-up on December 11, 2020.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave him permission to travel between December 15 and return on January 10, 2021, a day before the scheduled resumption of trial.
However, Mr Agabi told Justice Ekwo on Monday that his client tested positive for COVID-19 at the point of his return to Nigeria, and was subsequently held back by UAE authorities.
The lawyer further told the court that Adoke later tested negative to the coronavirus after his treatment but was unable to get a flight to the country as ordered by the court.
“My lord, let me apologise to you that the 1st defendant in this matter, Mohammed Bello Adoke, is not in court today due to circumstances beyond his control,” he said.
“I thank this court for granting him permission to travel abroad for medical examination.
“Before he left this country, he tested negative. But unfortunately while in the UAE, he tested positive at his point of his return to Nigeria.
“However. he is now negative after the treatment but he was unable to get flight to the country. Happily, he will return tomorrow, January 12, 2021.”
Agabi informed that an application dated January 4 and filed same day, seeking for an extension of time to avail Adoke of the opportunity to take care of himself, had already been brought before the court.
He then prayed the court to extend the time within which Adoke would be allowed to appear in court.
Adoke is being tried alongside a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case was adjourned until March 1 to March 4 for trial continuation.
