Court Clears Ozekhome To Travel To UK For Treatment

An Abuja High Court has granted permission to Mike Ozekhome to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment while standing trial over alleged forgery and impersonation charges.

According to court proceedings monitored by Ireporter Online, Justice Chizoba Oji approved Ozekhome’s application on Thursday after the prosecution raised no objection to the temporary release of his international passport.

The court, however, directed Ozekhome to return the passport on or before August 26, following the completion of his medical trip.

Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, were arraigned on February 27 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation connected to a property dispute in the United Kingdom.

During the proceedings, the prosecution confirmed that the passport presented before the court belonged to Ozekhome. Prosecuting counsel, C.L. Asonta, stated that the prosecution had no objection to the defendant’s request but urged the court to ensure the passport is returned within three working days after his arrival back in Nigeria.

In her ruling, Justice Oji held that, having considered the application and the absence of any objection from the prosecution, the court would grant the temporary release of the passport to allow Ozekhome undergo medical treatment in the UK.

The judge stated that the approved medical trip would last six weeks, beginning on July 9 and ending on August 20. She subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for the continuation of trial.

Ozekhome and Useni have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and continue to deny all allegations brought against them.