The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted Basil Udotai, third defendant in the trial of the former Director- General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mba permission to travel abroad.
The third defendant, through his counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), at the resumed hearing pleaded with the court to allow him travel to the UK to complete his medical treatment.
Erokoro told the court that the application would have been heard by the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, but due to some errors in the application they had to withdraw it.
He said the defendant was undergoing medical treatment before the trial and his doctor has written that his attention is needed due to his health.
Erokoro added that from the prosecution’s counter affidavit, they are not opposing the application.
He, however, pleaded with the court to order the release of the defendant’s international passport to enable him travel.
Counsel to EFCC, Ben Ikani, was not in court.
In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, granted the defendant permission to travel for his medical treatment, but ordered him to come back before the next adjourned date.
Dimgba also ordered the release of the defendant’s international passport and adjourned the matter until Sept. 21 the date set by the trial judge.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), had filed a 15-count amended charges against Mba, alongside Patrick Areh, a former director of Finance and Accounts of the NBC.
Other defendants are Basil Udotai, a consultant with Technology Advisors; and Babatunji Amure, the manager of Divine Partners Ltd.
The defendants were alleged to have between August and September, 2015 laundered N2.9 billion funds of the NBC.(NAN)