Justice Hadiza Shagari of Federal High Court, Katsina Division, on Thursday, directed that the passport of former Governor Ibrahim Shema be released to him to enable him travel abroad for checkup.

She gave the order after ruling in favour of Shema’s application seeking the release of the passport.

The former Governor of Katsina State is currently standing trial before the high court for allegedly laundering over N5bn belonging to Katsina State SURE-P while in office.

He was dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice Shinkafi, in her ruling, said it would be callous of the court not to grant the application and added that available records before the court showed that the former governor had health challenges. She said it would also be in the interest of the court for him to be alive to stand his on-going trial.

The judge added that records also showed that Shema had been consistent in his presence at the court since the case began.

Justice Shinkafi said, “I have granted this application in exercise of my discretion. The Court Registrar is hereby directed to release the passport after the applicant (Shema) has submitted to the court the signed laboratory report.

“The passport should be returned to the court on September 2, 2019. I adjourn this case to October 8, 2019.”

Shema’s lead counsel, Elisha Kurah, SAN, in his reaction, lauded the judge for the ruling, adding that it was in the interest of all parties.

Lead counsel for the EFCC, Chief Ernest Obunadike, said the legal team would react to the ruling after obtaining the Certified True Copy of the ruling.

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