by ‘Jola Sotubo

The leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, has been permitted by a court to travel abroad for medical treatment. The court therefore ordered the release of Hon. Lloyd’s passport.

Lloyd, who was the major antagonist in the state assembly crisis, had his passport seized by the police following his arrest for the part he played in the free-for-all which occurred in the house on the 9th of July.

He was charged six-counts including conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, intention to cause grievous harm, assault occasioning harm, causing grievous harm, and malicious damage (of government property). His victim was named as a fellow lawmaker, Michael Okechuku Chinda.

According to reports, the lead counsel to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the 27 lawmakers loyal to the governor in the ongoing political impasse in the state, Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), confirmed the release of the passport.

Justice Sobere Biambo ordered the passport released following an application by Lloyd to allow him access to urgent medical treatment overseas.

Lloyd, through his lawyer, told the court that his health was failing and his medical doctor here in Nigeria had referred him to a London hospital for adequate attention.

He attached two different medical reports issued by his doctor in which urgent overseas medical attention was recommended.

Lloyd was granted six weeks to undertake the treatment and return the documents to the court.

Nwofor said:

“We applied to a vacation court for his passport to be released to enable him travel for medical treatment. After he was released, his doctors examined him on two different dates and issued a medical report that showed extreme urgency, and noted that the medical facilities needed for his treatment are not readily available here in our vicinity. Because of that, he needed to travel abroad.

“In fact, they made a specific referral to a hospital in London where he could obtain adequate medical treatment. As you know, he cannot travel without his passport. Based on those two medical reports, we had to go to a vacation court, which is a court set aside for urgent matters.

“These two medical reports were not there at the time Justice Letam Nyordee granted him bail. There was fresh evidence that emanated following his health condition after he was granted bail.

“As a result of this, we approached the vacation court and we are happy that the judge saw merits in the application and granted it.

“The court made an order for him to return it on or before October 28. So, there is no cause for alarm.”