A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke, could not make it to court on Monday, January 11, 2021, for the continuation of his trial for money laundering because he is stranded in the United Arab Emirates where he tested positive for COVID-19.
His counsel, Kanu Agabi ( SAN) gave this information to Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Adoke is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the case alongside a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar.
The court had on December 11, 2020, granted Adoke permission to travel abroad for a medical examination on December 11, 2020.
Justice Ekwo had insisted that he must return to the country on January 10 day before his trial was scheduled to resume.
But on Monday while explaining his client’s absence in court, Agabi told the presiding judge that the UAE authorities in Dubai held back Adoke who had tested positive for COVID-19.
He, however, added that Adoke laterr tested negative but could not return because of fight challenges.
“My Lord, let me apologise to you that the first defendant in this matter, Mohammed Bello Adoke, is not in court today due to circumstances beyond his control. I thank this court for granting him permission to travel abroad for medical examination.
“Before he left this country, he tested negative. But unfortunately while in the UAE , he tested positive at the point of his return to Nigeria. However, he is now negative after the treatment. But he was unable to get a flight to the country. Happily, he will return on January 12, 2021,” Agabi said.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till between March 1 to 4.
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