By Eric Ikhilae, AbujaA Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted permission to businessman, Raymond Dokpesi to travel abroad for medical attention and to also visit his wife, who he claimed, is being treated for cancer related ailment.Dokpesi, who is standing trial with his company, Daar Investment and Holdind Company Limited, said, in court documents, that he intends to visit Dubai and London for medical purposes and proceed to Poland to see his wife.The two are being tried on a seven-count charge, in which they are accused of receiving N2.1 billion payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, in 2015 without a valid contract.Justice John Tsoso, in a ruling on Tuesday, held that the application filed to that effect was meritorious and granted it.The judge overruled the objection by prosecution lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, to an earlier application by defence lawyer, Barth Oluohu for an adjournment.Dokpesi said his application for permission to travel, was to enable him retrieve his international passport, which he deposited with the courts Registrar and part of the conditions attached to the bail earlier granted him.He said, in a supporting affidavit, that: I am the 1st defendant/applicant in this matter and by virtue of which I am conversant with the facts of this case.Read Also:Dokpesi: looters list damaged my nameI am standing trial for an alleged corruption related offences before this honourable court.As part of the condition for the grant of my bail, I was required to deposit my international passport with the courts Registry and I duly complied with this order.In March 2019 I underwent two major heart surgeries and I was advised by my physician to return to the American Hospital in Dubai for follow-up regularly to ensure proper healing.My medical condition has since been deteriorating thus requiring urgent medical check-up.Recently on the 5th day of July 2019 this honourable granted similar application which enabled me to travel for my medical procedure in American Hospital in Dubai and London, United KingdomThis honourable court on the 5th day of July, 2019 made an order releasing my international passport to me for my medical examination or check-up in American Hospital, Dubai and thereafter to London Hospital in the United Kingdom.I was informed by my counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) on the 26th day of October, 2019 at his office at Plot 943 Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi-Abuja at about 2:30 pm and I verily believe him to be true that:Leave and order of this honourable court is required for the release of my international passport to enable me travel to American Hospital Dubai for medical examination and thereafter proceed to London Hospital in the United Kingdom for a second opinion.Leave and order of this honourable court will also be required to enable me visit my wife in Poland, who is being treated of a cancer related ailment.Since the commencement of this case I have never been absent from trial thereby indicating my utmost desire to attend to my trial.I need to be in good health to be able to continue with this trial to the end so that justice will be seen to have been manifestly done.Earlier, Oluwaleke noted that since the prosecution closed its case in May last year, Dokpesi has been reluctant to open his defence.Dokpesi had, at the conclusion of the prosecutions case, made a no-case submission, which the court rejected in a ruling in November 2018 and ordered him to enter his defence.Since then, Dokpesi has been unable begin his defence, claiming among others that one of his lawyer, Kanu Agabi was engaged in election cases.Justice Tsoho, after his ruling on Tuesday, adjourned until January 21, 2020 for defence to commence
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