Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted permission to former governor of Bayelsa state, Timipriye Sylva, who is being tried by the court on a six-count charge bordering on alleged financial impropriety, to travel to South Africa for medical attention.

The judge while ruling on the ex-governor’s application for release of his international passport gave the permission on Thursday, to enable him travel for treatment.

Justice Bello had refused two similar applications filed earlier by Sylva on the ground that they were not supported by sufficient facts.

The former governor and several others were accused of defrauding the state the some of N2 billion while in office.

Justice Bello held that since hearing on the new charge has been set for January 23 next year, he has ample opportunity to travel for his medical treatment and come back before the date.

“I have decided to give the applicant a benefit of doubt that he needs a medical treatment in South Africa,” the judge said.

He gave the ex-governor 28 days, starting from December 7 to make the trip and return on or before January 5, 2014.

He ordered Sylva’s surety to sign an undertaken, assuring that should the ex-governor fail to return on the agreed date he would face his trial.