Late Chief Judge, Innocent Umezulike who was buried last month is among the 50 Nigerians President Buhari banned from travelling

Umezulike, a renowned Professor of Land and Property Law, died in a London hospital on June 26. He was recommended for compulsory retirement by the National Judicial Council in 2016 following petitions against him by an Enugu-based lawyer.  

He was later dragged to High Courts in Enugu and Port Harcourt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and his bank accounts frozen over some of the allegations that brought about his forced exit from the Bench.  

Also on the list of those barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari are former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and seven ex- ministers. 

A former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and       seven ex- ministers are among the 50 prominent Nigerians that have been banned from traveling following the order from President Buhari for the full implementation of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).

The Nation reports that others on the watchlist are: ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).

The ex-ministers are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro; Femi Fani-Kayode; and Ahmadu Fintiri.

Others include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei  Dudafa (a former  Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;

Also on the list are a former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).

Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.

The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.

The document indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.

Explaining the ban on the prominent Nigerians, a top government official, who spoke in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm.

“The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets. Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order. Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”