N650m Fraud: Court Rules On PDP’s Chieftain’s Application Sept.11

N650m Fraud: Court Rules On PDP’s Chieftain’s Application Sept.11

Justice Nicholas Oweibo will on September 11 rule on an application filed by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, seeking the release of her international passport to enable her travel abroad for medical treatment.

Otiti is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide and another PDP’s chieftain, Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun over alleged N650 million fraud.

They were arraigned before the court by the EFCC on a 24-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that the accused persons conspired to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

According to the commission, they allegedly received the money from Mrs Alison-Madueke in the build- up to the 2015 general election.

The money was said to be part of a larger sum of $115 million allegedly doled out by Mrs. Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

However, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In her application, Otiti is seeking the variation of her bail conditions to allow her access her international passport for a foreign medical trip.

Arguing the application, Otiti’s lawyer, Akinola Oladeji, pleaded with the court to grant his client permission to travel abroad because of her failing health.

“We have attached her medical report dated 11th July, 2018, from the University College Hospital (UCH) as well as her medical history from 2009 up till 2019 to prove the urgency of her the matter”, the lawyer said.

But in its opposition to Otiti’s motion, the anti-graft agency alleged that she is a flight risk and that it will be difficult to extradite her back to Nigeria if she decide to jump bail.

In a counter affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, John Micheal Idoko, the anti-graft agency while arguing that the court’s jurisdiction does not extend beyond the shores of Nigeria also maintained that there was no referral note from any hospital for Otiti to travel for any medical treatment.

It was further averred that the applicant (Otiti) has not placed any evidence before the court to show that she cannot be treated of her ailment in Nigeria.

“There is no fact within the content of this application and the supporting documents filed by the applicant did not state reasonable ground for this honourable Court to grant her application but only to cast doubt in the mind of the court due to its variation.

“Should the honourable Court be inclined to granting the application, conditions that will ensure the applicant return to face her trial must be attached”, the deponent averred.