Court Orders EFCC To Release Daniel’s Passport

Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje of the Ogun State High Court Thursday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release the International passport of former governor of the state,Otunba Gbenga Daniel to him to eneble him to travel to the United Kingdom UK to seek medical attention.

Daniel is currently standing trial on a 38-count charge filed by the EFCC.

The order was issued to the EFCC which had been in the custody of Daniel’s passport pursuant to the order of the court made on 16 April, 2012.
The order today followed an adoption of a motion filed by the defence on 29 June, 2012 seeking the release of Daniel’s passport to enable him travel abroad on medical ground.

Prof.Taiwo Osipitan, lead counsel to Daniel, had reminded the court of the pending motion after Rotimi Jacobs, lead counsel to EFCC, had sought for adjournment of the case.

Osipitan also noted that the prosecution was yet to file a counter affidavit since the defence had filed the motion.

Osipitan who supported the motion with an x-ray report and a medical report from Daniel’s doctor which referred him for treatment abroad, argued that right to good health was a fundamental human right.

He also noted that granting the prayer would be in the interest of the defence for them to have an healthy defendant to answer their questions.

Responding, Jacobs explained that the defence did not object to the motion since the court would be on vacation between August and September.

According to him,”it is unwise to object to such prayer now so that adjournment will not be sought by the prosecution on the same ground when the court resumes in October.”

The judge, Mabekoje, who thereaftet granted the prayer, however, stressed that Daniel must return to Nigeria not later than 30 September, 2012.

He also ordered that the former governor must return the passport to EFCC within three days of his return to Nigeria.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, however, urged the court to caution Daniel’s loyalists, who normally storm the court, over alleged disturbance of proceedings.

He noted that responses by the witnesses perceived to be in favour of Daniel was usually greeted with ovation, a development to which he objected.

“My lord, this is not a political gathering, let them go back to their political parties and stop disturbing us here.My lord, we seek your protection,” Jacobs pleaded.

In his reaction, the judge promised to look into the matter and ensure that the security of the court premises is beef up in the next sitting.

He therefore adjourned the case till October 15, 25 and 26 for the continuation of the trial.

By Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta