The Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted former Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Yakubu is facing a six-count charge of money laundering and false declaration of asset after millions of dollars were discovered from his house in Kaduna by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.

A total of $9.7 million and £74,000 were discovered hidden in a fireproof safe at a property owned by the ex-NNPC boss at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State.

At the resumption of the trial on Wednesday, Yakubu’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, pleaded with the court to allow his client travel to the UK to complete his medical treatment which he abandoned when he was summoned by the EFCC.

Raji asked the court to release the accused person’s international passport which he deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court as part of his bail conditions.

Counsel to the EFCC, Ben Ikani, did not object to the application, saying it was up to the court to decide.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling, said he was granting the motion since it was not opposed by the prosecution.

He gave Yakubu three weeks permission to travel to the UK for completion of his medical treatment. The three weeks would commence from May 25.

The court however directed that one of Yakubu’s sureties must file a separate affidavit agreeing to be held liable if the accused person fail to return to face his trial.

Justice Mohammed also ordered that the accused person must resubmit his travel documents to the Deputy Registrar of the court on his return.

Yakubu had earlier been granted bail to the tune of N300 million with two sureties in like sum.