Court orders EFCC to release Daniel’s passport

Posted by admin EFCC Politics, Ogun, State News Friday, July 13th, 2012

Otunba Gbenga Daniel

A High Court in Ogun State on Thursday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to return Chief Gbenga Daniel’s passport to enable him to travel overseas for medical attention.

The former Ogun State governor is standing trial before the court on 38 counts of stealing, false declaration of assets and fraudulent conversion of land belonging to the state.

The court gave the order just as an EFCC witness, Mrs. Omolara Akiode, told the court that she lacked knowlege of the details of the bank account of one of the companies, Masterline Investment and Property Limited, allegedly owned by Daniel.

Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, who ordered the release of the document , said he did so in pursuant to the order of April 16.

Daniel’s lead counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, submitted that his application was based on five grounds supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit deposed to by his client.

Osipitan said two exhibits, including the X-ray and the medical reports from Daniel’s doctor referring him abroad for treatment, were attached to the affidavit.

The EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, however, did not object the application, saying this was “in the interest of justice”.

Mabekoje, in his ruling, also ordered Daniel to return from the UK to Nigeria by September 30 and return his traveling documents to the custody of the EFCC within three days of his return.

-Punchwp_posts