Mohammed Adoke, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was given permission to travel to the United Arab Emirates on Friday by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adoke is currently on trial alongside Aliyu Abubakar, a property developer, on claims of N300 million in money laundering.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Adoke made a cash payment of $2,267,400 to Unity Bank in 2013 in violation of money laundering rules.
Adoke, represented by Kanu Agabi, SAN, asked the court to invoke Sections 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution to allow him to see his family.
He stated that Adoke has not seen his family members in the UAE since his trial on money laundering accusations presented by the FG began.
Agabi urged the court to approve the former AGF’s plea to spend time with his family in order to preserve his physical and mental health.
He went on to say that since his client was admitted to bail, he had been faithfully and continuously attending the trial and had never acted in any way that suggested a desire to flee.
Justice Inyang Ekwo concurred in his finding that the former AGF had been attending the trial and had never sought to flee, adding that he was compelled to approve the motion.
The judge then ordered that Adoke’s passport, which had been lodged with the court registry, be released to him so that he may fly to the UAE.
Justice Ekwo ordered that the former AGF return to Nigeria before January 11, 2024, to face the allegations against him anew.
