Court Dismisses Former Nigerian Presidential Aide’s Application To Travel Abroad For Medical Treatment

Mr. Dudafa, through his lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, had urged the court to order the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad to receive medical treatment for a spinal cord injury allegedly sustained while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court not to grant the application on the grounds that the EFCC had written to a Lagos State government hospital to examine Mr. Dudafa’s health and to determine whether he could be treated in Nigeria instead of traveling abroad. Ruling on the application on Tuesday, November 14, the presiding judge said the expert report on Mr. Dudafa’s health determined that he could be treated in Nigeria and therefore denied his application to leave the country for medical treatment. Justice Idris also faulted the application filed by Mr. Dudafa, stating that an application of such nature ought to be backed by hard evidence. “In view of overwhelming evidence before me, I find it difficult to grant this application. I hereby dismiss this application,” Justice Idris ruled. Mr. Dudafa and one Joseph Iwuejo, who the EFCC claimed aided him to perpetrate the alleged fraud, are standing trial on 23 counts bordering on money laundering. The EFCC alleged that between June 2013 and June 2015, the accused used different companies to fraudulently launder various sums of money to the tune of N5.1 billion. Some of the companies include Seagate Property Development & Investment Ltd., Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd., and Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd. Others are Rotate Interlink Services Ltd., Ibejige Services Ltd., DeJakes Fast Food & Restaurant Nigeria Ltd., and Ebiwise Resources. Justice Idris adjourned the case till November 15 for the defense lawyer to cross examine his witness.]]>