N2.5bn DSO Case: Court Orders Release Of Defendants International Passport

By: Ayobami Victor Awoleye

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a temporary release of the International Passports of the Chairman of Pinnacles Communication, Mr Lucky Omoluwa and his Chief Operating Officer, Mr Dipo Onifade, to travel outside the country within the months of July, August and September.

The men who are co-defendants with the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr Modibbo Kawu, in a case of an alleged misapplication of funds in the Digital Switch-over programme, were granted the leave on the grounds that they each provide a surety to swear an affidavit to represent them during their trip.

The trial judge, Justice Folashade Giwa also gave the order in view of the fact that the counsel to the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), withdrew a counter affidavit opposing the release of their passports and had filed an affidavit verifying the defendants addresses in the bail bond in compliance to the court’s directive on the first of July.

Mr Sogunle again informed the court that the defendant’s journey is during the vacation of the court and as such will not affect proceedings.

Justice Giwa further warned that the passports be returned to the registry of the court on or before the 25th of September, saying that the failure to do so will lead to the detention of their sureties till their arrival.

Subsequently, the case was adjourned till October 2, 2019, for a continuation of the trial.