Former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO
The Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday granted former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical check-up.
Yakubu, accused of stashing over N3billion equivalent in his house in Kaduna State, is facing a six-count money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At resumed sitting, the defendant through his lead counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji, (SAN), prayed the court to allow him travel to U.K to complete the medical treatment he was undergoing when he was summoned back in the country by EFCC.
He pleaded the court, therefore, to order the release of his International Passport, which was deposited to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court as part of his bail conditions.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Mr. Ben Ikani, stated that he would not object to the application since it was based on health ground.
He however left the matter to the discretion of the court, but urged Justice Ahmed Mohamned, to rather instruct that the travel document be released to the defendant's lawyer, Raji (SAN).
In his ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed stated that he was minded to grant the motion since it was not opposed by the prosecution.
Consequently, he granted the defendant three weeks leave to travel to the UK for completion of his medical treatment.
The court held that the three weeks would commence from May 25.
It also directed that one of the sureties must file a separate affidavit, undertaking to be held liable should the defendant fail to return to Nigeria to face his trial.
Justice Mohammed consequently adjourned trial till July 6 but then, he directed Yakubu to immediately surrender his International Passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court upon his return to the country.
EFCC had raided Yakubu's guest house situated at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State, where it allegedly recovered huge sums of money in foreign currencies.
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