Subsidy Scam: Court Grants Leave To Accused To Travel Abroad For Business

An Ikeja High Court on Friday granted leave to a fuel subsidy scam suspect, Olarenwaju Olalusi, to travel to the UK for business.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olalusi, a banker, is being prosecuted alongside an oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, for an alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

Also charged with them are Opeyemi Ajuyah, Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd.

During proceedings on Friday, Olalusi's Counsel, Miss Zainab Kelani, in an application dated Nov. 22, asked the court to grant Olalusi permission to travel for a business trip.

Kelani said that Olalusi was scheduled to travel abroad between Dec.9 and Dec. 16, to represent his employers, Sterling Bank Plc, at a business meeting.

She, therefore, asked the court to order the release of Olalusi's international passport to enable him embark on the trip.

Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the application.

In a short ruling, Justice Lateefat Okunnu ordered the Chief Registrar to release Olalusi's international passport for the purpose of the journey.

Okunnu directed that Olalusi must return to Nigeria not later than Dec. 21 and should return the international passport within 48 hours of returning to the country.

She adjourned the matter till Dec. 11, for hearing of the two pending applications, filed by Alao's Counsel, Mr Oluwaseun Awonuga.

NAN reports that one of the applications is seeking the court to set aside its Oct. 21 ruling, which dismissed Alao's previous application to quash the charges.

The other application wants the court to stay further proceedings on the trial, pending the determination of Alao's appeal against the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Lagos.

(NAN)