An Abuja federal high court sitting has granted a request made by former Imo state Governor Ikedi Ohakim to travel out of the country for medical attention.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who is the presiding vacation judge, granted the permission following an application made by defence lawyer, Mr Gordy Uche (SAN) urging the court to allow Ohakim to travel abroad on health grounds on Monday.
According to Punch, Gordy Uche argued that it had become highly necessary for Ohakim to travel for a routine medical check and therefore pleaded with the court that his international passport be released to him.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Festus Ukpe, did not oppose the application seeking permission for Ohakim to travel and the court granted it as prayed.
Justice Dimgba however ruled that he must return his passport to the court within 48 hours of his return to the country in August.
Ohakim is facing trial before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja for charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Ademola is however presently on vacation.
Ademola had on June 30, dismissed a no case submission by Ohakim over alleged corruption and money laundering, saying he had a case to answer.
Ademola in dismissing the application, held that the prosecution, led by Mr Festus Keyamo, had established a prima-facie case against the defendant necessitating him to open his defence.
Ohakim was arraigned on July 8, 2015, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a three counts of money laundering. He allegedly purchased a house in Abuja, with a cash payment of the dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008 while he was Imo state governor.
The former governor was admitted to bail on July 9, 2015. His trial was adjourned to October 10 and 13 for the defence to call its witnesses.
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