The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah) during the last ten days of Ramadan. Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request after Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, moved the motion before the court.
According to the defence, the application sought the temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him to undertake the religious pilgrimage during the holy month. The lawyer noted that the motion, dated January 19, was filed on January 20 and covered travel plans for the Ramadan period, scheduled from February 18 to March 19.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the request. When asked by the court to clarify how long he intended to stay abroad, Bello stated that although he would have preferred to spend the entire Ramadan in Mecca, he remained mindful of his ongoing trial before the EFCC.
He said he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and confirmed he would limit his stay to the last ten days of Ramadan for prayers. Justice Nwite, noting the prosecution’s lack of objection, granted the application and ruled that the trip would begin on March 13 and last only ten days. The case was adjourned to January 30 for continuation of trial.
