The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday November 15, 2012 told a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Abubakar Umar to reject the prayers of Dora Gilmaska, to have her passport released to her.

Gilmaska, a polish national, was arraigned on Monday, October 08, 2012 on a one count charge bordering on the issuance of dud cheque to the tune of Nine Million Naira and later granted bail in the sum of N5million.
At the resumed hearing on November 13, 2012, counsel to the accused, Chris prayed the court to release her international passport on the grounds that the Passport has expired and needed to be renewed to enable her seek medical attention overseas.
However, prosecution counsel, Mr. Samuel Ugwuegbulam opposed the application. He argued that the defence has not placed sufficient material before court to justify the request for the release of the passport.
Ugwuegbulam further averred that the deponent to the supporting affidavit to the application is not a medical doctor and therefore incompetent to make the averment.
"My Lord, this is an abuse of section 115, sub-section 3 of the evidence Act, 2011, considering the fact that no referral letter certified by a medical expert from a Government owned and recognized hospital indicating that the accused person has been referred to any hospital outside the shores of Nigeria is attached to the application", he declared.

The case was adjourned to 20th November, 2012 for ruling on the application and 6th December, 2012 for commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
15th November, 2012