Posted by By Tobi Soniyi, Abuja on
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threw out an application by the former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki seeking the release of his international passport to enable him travel aboard on medical, legislative and religious duty.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threw out an application by the former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki seeking the release of his international passport to enable him travel aboard on medical, legislative and religious duty.
Turaki who is charged with a 32-count charge of laundering funds belonging to the state government had claimed that the seizure of his passport as a bail condition had hampered his ability to perform his legislative function as a senator.
But in his ruling on Turaki's application on Thursday, Justice Adamu Bello said the former governor did not specify the legislative functions he wanted to do abroad.
The judge further held that the ex-governor did not state the time frame of the trips.
He said, 'I am not prepared to give a blanket order."
Justice Bello who took over Turaki's trial from Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako (now sitting in the Lagos Division), said Turaki ought to have asked for a variation of the bail conditions when he was re-arraigned before him.
He said, 'His request for the interim release of his international passport was not pinned down to any particular issue whether medical, religious or legislative function
'The reliefs he sought were too wide and granting them is like giving the accused the direction to frustrate the case.
'His lawyer cited wrong cases. He asked for the release of his passport without time limitation
'His request to go for medical check up abroad was not backed up with medical reports.
'He failed to mention any particular legislative function, he is going for."
After throwing out the application, the judge said that Turaki was at liberty to re-apply. He then adjourned the case till July 2.