Court grants ex-Governor permission for medical treatment abroad amid fraud charges
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has granted Darius Ishaku, the immediate past Governor of Taraba State, permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Sylvanus Oriji on Wednesday, allows Ishaku to visit Arjam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a routine medical check-up.
Ishaku, who is facing trial for alleged money laundering involving N27 billion, had applied to travel for medical reasons.
His lawyer, Mr. Paul Ogbole, SAN, argued that his client’s health had significantly worsened.
The application was based on Sections 6(6) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its lawyer Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application due to the lack of clarity on the duration of Ishaku’s stay in the UAE, Justice Oriji ruled in favor of the former governor.
The court emphasized that one of the conditions of Ishaku’s bail was obtaining permission before traveling abroad, a condition he had met with this application.
The trial, which continues on March 17, 2025, involves charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the alleged conversion of public funds.
In the ongoing proceedings, the EFCC’s fifth witness, Ismail Lawal, testified about receiving cash from various individuals on the instructions of Ishaku, including payments to the governor’s personal staff and for bills associated with his properties.
Earlier, the court had granted Ishaku bail in the sum of N150 million as part of the conditions for his trial.
(Prompt news)
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