Abuja — An Abuja High Court on Monday granted the application brought by Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Limited, George Eder, seeking leave to travel abroad for a 40-day medical treatment.

Eder is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside former Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borishade, former Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Roland Iyayi, and Personal Assistant to Borishade, T.A Dairo, over alleged forgery and corrupt enrichment in the execution of N6.5 billion Safe Tower Project.

Justice Sadiq Umar in his ruling on application by Eder also ordered the release of his international passport to enable him travel outside the country for treatment.

Justice Umar recalled that Eder had, in October last year, been granted similar leave of the court and that he returned to the country to face his trial.

Eder, who is the 4th accused person, is to present before the court a bond from a reputable bank covering the amount he is charged for and he is to submit a written undertaking that he will not abscond during the period of the leave.

The judge also ruled that Eder should submit his international passport to the court upon his return to the country.

Further hearing in the case has been adjourned to May 13.

It would be recalled that EFCC opposed Eder's application for the release of his international passport to enable him undergo a medical treatment abroad as hospitals in Nigeria do not have the facilities to treat his ailment.

This is on the ground that he may jump bail in view of the nature of charges leveled against him and other accused persons in the matter.

In a nine-paragraph counter affidavit to the application, the anti-graft agency told the court that some of the documents tendered in support of the application were public documents that were not certified and urged the court not to give any consideration to the application.

In his response, Eder's counsel, Ricky Tarfa, urged the court not to be swayed by the submission of the prosecution and to also exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant.