JUST IN: Federal High Court Okays Yahaya Bello’s Travel Abroad Request — Full Details

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser hajj and observe the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request following an application by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

The motion, dated January 19 and filed on January 20, sought the temporary release of Bello’s international passports to facilitate his travel during this year’s Ramadan, which runs from February 18 to March 19.

Daudu told the court that the application also requested approval for Bello to undertake religious observances in the Holy Land during the Ramadan period.

Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the motion.

Earlier in court, Bello clarified that while he would have liked to spend the full 30 days of Ramadan in Mecca, he would limit his trip to 10 days to remain mindful of his ongoing trial by the EFCC.

“As said by my defence counsel, I have not travelled outside this country in the last eight years. I would have loved to spend the whole of Ramadan in Mecca and to observe Shittu Shawal immediately after Ramadan, but I will not want to take anyone for granted,” Bello said.

Justice Nwite noted that the prosecution did not object to the application. He ruled that Bello’s travel would be restricted to 10 days, beginning on March 13.

The court adjourned the matter until January 30 for the continuation of the trial.