By Innocent Anaba

LAGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered the State Security Services, SSS, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to  release the international passport of former Managing Director of Platinum Habib Bank, BankPHB, Mr. Francis Atuche, which was earlier impounded when he was first arrested by the anti-graft agency.

Another Federal High Court, had on July 6, ordered EFCC  to release two houses belonging to Atuche. The trial judge, Justice Akinjide agreeed with the contention of Atuche’s counsel, that there was no connection between the charges for which he was standing trial and the assets, which the EFCC had asked to be forfeited.

The houses in question are located at 2B Falomo Close, Ikoyi, Lagos and 46 Mamman Nasir Street Asokoro, Abuja.

Ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit by Atuche against the EFCC and SSS yesterday, Jusstice Charles Archibong, ordered the immediate release of Atuche’s international passport.

He said EFCC and SSS should not be operating above the law.

According to the judge, the seizure of Atuche’s international passport by the SSS without a court order was unconstitutional.