N6.5bn Fraud: Court Grants Sylva 28-Days Medical Leave Abroad

[Shola Sholaz]

The Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, gave the embattled former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, permission to travel abroad for medical check-up.
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In a ruling he delivered yesterday, Justice Adamu Bello, granted the ex-Governor who is currently before him over a 6-count criminal charge bothering on alleged theft of N6.5billion from the Bayelsa state treasury, 28-days to visit his Doctor in South Africa, warning that he should return on or before January 15, 2014, to face a fresh charge that was brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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Besides, the court, directed Sylva to produce a surety that would sign undertaking to stand trial in his stead, should he fail to return to Nigeria to answer to the amended 42-count charge preferred against him before Justice R.A Mohammed of the same high court.
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In the new charge, the EFCC accused the former governor and six others, of pilfering the sum of N19.2billion from the public tilt.
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Before ordering the release of the international passport of the accused ex-Governor, Justice Bello, dismissed an objection that was raised by the EFCC, saying he was minded to exercise his discretion in favour of the accused, based on prevailing circumstances.
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He said: "On June 20, 2012, the accused person applied for leave to travel abroad but it was not granted due to prevailing circumstances.

[EbukaOkafor14]

Well they just have to be cautious abou his health so this is a good development.