In a development that’s stirred both legal and political interest, the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Ali Bello — Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo — permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. Bello, who is standing trial for allegedly laundering over ₦3 billion in state funds, was allowed by Justice Obiora Egwuatu to visit the London Centre for Advanced Cardiology between July 30 and September 10, 2025.
Bello’s lawyer, Zakari Abbas, made the request in a motion that went unopposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency’s counsel, Abbas Muhammed, raised no objection, and the judge granted the motion with a firm condition: Bello must return his international passport to the court registrar by September 12.
In a related ruling, Justice Egwuatu also approved the travel request of Bello’s co-defendant, Yakubu Adabenege, who is seeking to participate in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. His documents must be returned by August 30.
The EFCC had earlier been scheduled to continue cross-examining its 7th prosecution witness, Offure Achille, a staff of Access Bank. But lead defense counsel Abubakar Aliyu (SAN) was absent due to another engagement at the Supreme Court, prompting a request for adjournment.
Interestingly, during a previous court appearance on June 17, Achille testified that Ali Bello’s name did not appear in any of the financial transactions under scrutiny. She confirmed that the bulk of the funds being investigated were moved from Kogi State Local Government Area accounts to three companies — Fazab Business Enterprise, Hyzman ARY, and Construction Limited — but no LGA raised any formal complaints about the payments being fraudulent.
In a personally signed affidavit supporting his application, Bello reminded the court of his past record of compliance, citing four previous occasions when similar travel permissions were granted — including one in August 2023 — after which he returned and surrendered his passport, as instructed.
Bello, along with four others, including Rashida Bello and Abba Adaudu, is facing an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering and financial misappropriation. The EFCC alleges they conspired to divert public funds meant for Kogi State and its local governments.
As the trial continues, the next hearing is scheduled for October 13 and 14.
While some see the travel approval as routine legal procedure for a defendant with a medical need, others, especially critics of the current Kogi administration, are raising concerns over what they describe as “elite privilege” in the judicial system.
But for now, the court has made its position clear — Ali Bello may travel, but he must return, as he has done before. The real question that remains is: will the evidence eventually link him directly to the billions allegedly siphoned from public coffers? The court, and time, will tell.
