Attempts by the former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye to retrieve his passport from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC suffered a setback on Monday as Justice Abimbola Banjoko of the Abuja High Court , Gudu on Monday turned down the request.

Dariye is facing multiple count charge of stealing, misappropriation of sate funds and criminal breach of trust involving several millions of naira. The trial judge had on Tuesday 03 June 2008 rejected a request by the former governor to hands off his trial with immediate effect. The former Plateau helmsman has however filed an application at the appeal court to upturn the lower court’s decision.

But the former Governor returned to the court on Monday asking for his travelling documents to be given to him. EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs however told the court that he had already submitted a 20 paragraph affidavit on why the travelling documents shouldn’t be given to the former governor.

The presiding Judge, Justice Banjoko, in her short ruling said since Dariye had gone on appeal, asking for interlocutory appeal on the issue of jurisdiction, she would have nothing to do with the release or otherwise of Dariye’s travelling documents.

The judge, who insisted that she would go ahead with the hearing of the criminal charge preferred against the ex-governor, explained that mere filing of an interlocutory appeal by Dariye against her ruling on the issue of jurisdiction was not enough to stay proceedings in the case. 

Justice Banjoko who said that she would not allow the matter to drag, however, promised to hands off the case as soon as the Court of Appeal fixes hearing date on the interlocutory appeal filed by Dariye on jurisdiction.  

The judge adjourned hearing in the case till December 2, 2009.