The Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 21 to rule on a motion filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Bello, currently facing a 19-count charge involving over N80.2 billion in alleged money laundering, asked the court to release his international passport confiscated under his bail terms so he can receive treatment in the United Kingdom.
His lead counsel, Prof. Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that Bello was referred overseas by a cardiologist and noted that the former governor had not traveled outside Nigeria throughout his eight-year tenure.
“This is about health, not politics,” Daudu argued, assuring the court that Bello would return by the end of August.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) strongly objected to the request. EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), contended that Bello failed to prove his condition was critical or that it could not be treated locally.
He added that hospitals in Nigeria are capable of managing conditions like hypertension and low potassium. He also cast doubt on the authenticity of the medical report submitted to the court.
Pinheiro further warned that Bello is under an Interpol red notice and could be arrested if he travels abroad, citing the precedent of Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi. “There is a serious risk of extradition, which could disrupt ongoing proceedings,” he said.
The EFCC also criticized Bello for previously making a similar request before another Abuja court and for failing to inform his sureties of the current application—calling it an abuse of court process.
Witness Denies Harassment Allegation
During the day’s hearing, mild tension arose when the EFCC alleged that a witness, Mr. Mshelia Arhyel Bata from Zenith Bank, had been harassed by Bello’s security team. However, the witness dismissed the claim under cross-examination, describing the incident as a “minor altercation” unrelated to the former governor.
Bata also testified that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in the withdrawal records of Kogi State government accounts.
Yahaya Bello, who served as Kogi State Governor from 2016 to 2024, is accused of laundering billions of naira using associates and proxies.
The EFCC alleges he used the funds to acquire 13 properties in Abuja and Dubai and transferred over $700,000 to an account in the United States actions that violate Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
Bello has pleaded not guilty and remains on bail. The trial continues on July 3 and 4 with further cross-examination of witnesses.
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