A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted permission to a former Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, to travel to the United Arab Emirates, UAE, to meet with his family.
Adoke is currently standing trial alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a property developer, over allegations of money laundering amounting to N300m.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that Adoke made a cash payment of $2,267,400 to Unity Bank in 2013 in contravention of money laundering laws.
Adoke, through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court to invoke Sections 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution to allow him to travel to see his family.
He noted that since the trial of Adoke in money laundering charges brought against him by the FG commenced, he has not been with his family members who are in the UAE.
Agabi said the former AGF needed to spend time with his family to maintain his physical and mental health, urging the court to grant his request.
He added that since his client was admitted to bail, he had been religiously and consistently attending the trial and had never behaved in any manner suggestive of intention to jump bail.
In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo agreed that Adoke had been attending the trial and had never attempted to jump bail, adding that he was persuaded to grant the request.
The judge thereafter ordered that Adoke’s passport deposited with the registry of the court be released to him to travel to UAE.
Justice Ekwo ordered that the former AGF must return to Nigeria before January 11, 2024, for continuation of his trial in the charges against him.
