Benjamin Omoike l Tuesday, October 08, 2019
IKOYI, Lagos, Nigeria – Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s son-in-law, Abdullahi Babalele today sought the permission of the Federal High Court in Lagos to undertake a medical trip overseas. Babalele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly laundering $140,000 in the build-up to the last general elections.
Atiku contested and lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in the election.Babalele was first arraigned on August 14, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
Following the re-assignment and transfer of the case file to Justice C.J. Aneke, the defendant was re-arraigned on Tuesday.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Aneke granted his request to continue on the N20m bail with one surety earlier granted him in August by Justice Oweibo.
After his re-arraignment, Babalele applied to the court for the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
But counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, arguing that there was no proof that Babalele’s condition could not be treated in Nigeria. Justice Aneke adjourned till October 11 for the ruling.
