The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has urged the Ikeja State Special Offences Court to deny the release of the passport of a 35-year-old woman, Rukayya Dantata, who is facing trial for alleged theft of N350 million.
This appeal was made in a counter-affidavit submitted by Police Prosecutor Mr Moruf Animashaun, who argued that granting the defendant’s request could jeopardize the trial.
In his counter-application dated December 24, 2024, Animashaun stated that the law is clear: a defendant cannot dictate how a court exercises its discretion.
He emphasized that an applicant seeking to modify a bail condition must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
To support his claims that Dantata is a flight risk, the prosecution submitted four exhibits, which included a warrant for her arrest issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja, a notice from the Nasarawa Chief Magistrates Court declaring her wanted, a Police Gazette-Bulletin, and a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Additionally, a written address dated December 24, 2024, was filed, requesting the court to grant the relief sought and dismiss the defence’s application as lacking merit.
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Dantata had previously filed an application through her lawyer, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), requesting the release of her international passport, which had been deposited with the court as part of the bail conditions following her arraignment.
Banire argued that an international passport should not be a standard condition for bail, as it is not a document possessed by many Nigerians.
Justice Rahman Oshodi has adjourned the case until March 10 for a ruling and further proceedings.
On September 15, 2024, the IGP arraigned Dantata for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change consulting firm of N350 million through her company, Adat Ventures.
She faces two charges: cheating and obtaining money under false pretences.
According to the prosecution, these alleged offences violate Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006 and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Dantata has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Oshodi granted Dantata bail of N30 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. The court mandated that both sureties provide an affidavit of means and evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Furthermore, Dantata was ordered to deposit her passport and other travel documents with the court’s chief registrar, who is to verify her home and office addresses.
