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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of thr Federal High Court has granted the request by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke for permission to travel to the United States of America (USA) to attend to his health.
Adoke is standing trial before the court on money laundering related charge. He is standing trial with a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on Friday, ordered the release of Adoke’s international passport to enable him process his visa.
Justice Ekwo ordered Adoke to return the passport within three days of his return to the country.
His international passport was deposited in the court in partial fulfilment of the conditions attached to the bail earlier granted him.
In an affidavit in support of the motion, Adoke said he is scheduled to undergo treatment for Lumbar Spondylosis.
Adoke, in his application, dated February 24, 2022 said he needed the passport to process his “medical visa for entry into the USA to honour a scheduled medical appointment for lumbar spondylosis at the Spine Institute, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Hospital, Ohio, USA.”
He has secured an appointment with his physician at Cleveland Hospital, Ohio, USA but does not have an active visa at the moment.
“The management of Cleveland Hospital, Ohio, USA has written to the American Embassy in Abuja to issue the 1% Defendant/Applicant with a medical Visa in furtherance of this purpose.
“To enable the American Embassy in Abuja to conclude the visa processing, the 1st defendant/applicant needs his international passport to be stamped.”
His lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) moved the motion, which was not opposed by Ofem Uket (lawyer to the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and Emmanuel Olafusi (lawyer to Abubakar).
The trial is scheduled to resume on March 7.
