ALLEGED N2BN ARMS SCAM: Bizman Obasina loses bid to travel abroad for treatment

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday denied Olugbenga Obadina, a business man who is accused of money laundering, an application to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Obadina landed into trouble after one of the anti-graft agencies discovered that he, without any contract, allegedly collected over N2billion from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

When hearing on the matter resumed at the court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on Wednesday, counsel to the accused, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) applied for temporary release of his client’s passport to allow him travel abroad for medicals.

But the prosecuting counsel, Mr Larry Aso, objected to the application arguing that the medical papers from the clinic of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which the applicant has does him to the clinic.

He further submitted that the defendant was a flight risk and said that ulcer, the ailment the defendant want to travel abroad to treat can be handled in local hospitals.

Mr. Aso told the court that his objection was principally based on court records of January 27, where Mrs Maryam Sagir, Obadina’s surety, applied for withdrawal.

However, Mr Victor Agunzi, counsel to Sagir, who applied to withdraw her as surety, explained to the court that the parties had met and have resolved their problems, adding that as a result, Sagir is still standing as Obadina’s surety.

Read also: Secret trial of Dasuki, Kanu, a ploy to shield the truth from Nigerians- Fayose

But the presiding judge in his ruling said, “I have considered carefully the application of the defendant for the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment. Traditionally, the court has always maintained a liberal approach in releasing passport for medical treatment based on the presumption that the defendant is innocent until proved otherwise.

“Also, going by what transpired on July 15, 2016 during his arraignment where he refused to present his biodata and the happenings of Jan. 27, were questions were raised concerning his surety ship. Even though the issue of the surety has been resolved, I am not minded to grant the application in favour of the applicant.”
Dimgba then adjourned till March 22 for continuation of hearing in the matter.

 

 

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now