Court Restrict Dantata Travel Movement Over Alleged N350M Fraud Trail.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Special Offences Court Ikeja has refused an application to release the international passport of a 35-year-old woman, Rukayya Saadina Dantata, standing trial over alleged N350 million.
The judge, while ruling on her application for a passport to travel on medical grounds, held that there was no evidence that her condition could not be adequately treated in Nigeria.
The court held that the exhibit before the court lacked sufficient details to establish a life-threatening condition requiring urgent overseas treatment. The defendant is standing trial before the court for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change firm of N350.9 million.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) arraigned Dantata through his prosecution counsel from Force CID, Alagbon Ikoyi, Mr Morufu Animashaun. Her alleged offence was bordering on cheating and obtaining money under false pretences. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail, on the condition that she submit her international passport to the Chief Registrar of the court.
The defendant, therefore, filed a motion on notice before the court, seeking the release of her international passport on medical grounds. However, the court heard the parties’ argument on January 10, 2025.
Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) prayed the court to grant the defendant’s application, while Animashaun vehemently opposed the release of the defendant’s international passport, arguing that granting the request would endanger the trial.
However, Justice Oshodi agreed with the submissions of the prosecution and refused the application
