By Desire Emmanuel
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, January 29, granted an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is facing N190 billion corruption trials, to travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after the ex-governor’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, moved the motion to the effect.
Yahaya Bello is facing corruption trials involving two different amounts: ₦80.2 billion and ₦110.4 billion.
The ₦80.2 billion case involves alleged money laundering and financial misconduct, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing him of diverting state funds through multiple bank transactions during his tenure as Kogi State Governor.
The ₦110.4 billion case involves allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, with Bello facing 16-count charges alongside two others.
Moving the motion for his travel on Thursday, Daudu said the application,which was dated January 19, was filed on January 20.
The senior lawyer said that the motion sought an order directing and permitting a temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj during this year’s Ramadan, which commences from February 18 and ends on March 19.
He said the application also sought an order granting permission to travel to holy land during the Ramadan period.
Kemi Pinheiro, who appeared for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the application.
Earlier when the former governor was permitted by the court to clarify on how many days he intends to spend abroad, he said though he would have loved to spend the 30 days in Saudi Arabia, he was mindful of his trial by the EFCC.
Bello said though he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years, he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia to offer prayers to God.
“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 any one for granted,” he said.
The ex-governor then said he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca.
Justice Nwite, who granted the prayer, observed that the prosecution did not oppose the request.
“I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel to the defendant and also observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application.
“Hence, the defendant shall only spend 10 days in the holy land which shall commence on March 13,” he ruled.
