Alleged N350m fraud: IGP opposes release of fugitive defendant’s passport

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has urged the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos State, not to release of the international passport of a 35-year-old woman, Rukayya Dantata, who is facing trial over alleged theft of N350 million.
IGP made the appeal in a counter-affidavit filed by Barrister Morufu Animashaun, of the Legal/Prosecution Section of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, who argued that granting the defendant’s request would jeopardise the trial.
IGP in the counter-affidavit dated December 24, 2024, Animashaun stated that the law is clear: a defendant cannot dictate how a court exercises its discretion. While emphasised 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 prosecutor tendered 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, IGP in a written address dated and filed December 24, 2024, request the court to grant the relief sought and dismiss the Dantata’s application for lacking in merit.
Dantata had previously filed an application through her lawyer, Mr. Muiz Banire (SAN), requested the release of her international passport, which was 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.
The IGP has on September 15, 2024, arraigned Dantata for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change consulting firm of N350 million through her company, Adat Ventures.
She was arraigned on a two count-charge of cheating and obtaining money under false pretences.
The offences according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 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.
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