A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, on Tuesday, July 8, scheduled Thursday, July 17 to rule on an application filed by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for a medical checkup.
Bello, who is facing a 16-count charge of money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), filed the application through his legal team led by Prof. Joseph Daudu, SAN. He is requesting the release of his international passport, which was confiscated as part of his bail conditions.
In his application, Bello informed the court that he has a scheduled medical appointment in the United Kingdom, recommended by a cardiologist. He acknowledged that the court had previously warned him not to leave the country without prior approval when granting his bail.
Appealing to the court’s discretion, the former governor assured that he would return to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial.
However, the EFCC opposed the application, arguing that Bello posed a flight risk. In a counter-affidavit, the commission described the application as an abuse of the court process, pointing out that Bello had submitted a similar request to the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is also facing charges.
The EFCC accused Bello of creating a conflict between two courts of coordinate jurisdiction by submitting the same application to both.
“If the Federal High Court refuses that application and my lord grants it, it will make a mockery of our judicial system,” the EFCC stated.
The commission, represented by Mr. Chukwudi Enebele, SAN, further argued that Bello failed to serve the application to his sureties. It claimed that notifying the sureties would give them an opportunity to decide whether they were still willing to bear responsibility should Bello fail to return to face trial.
Additionally, the EFCC told the court that Bello had been placed on the Interpol red notice list and could be arrested upon exiting Nigeria.
In response, Prof. Daudu maintained that Bello’s sureties were already informed of his medical trip. He emphasized that the defendant had not violated any of the court’s previous orders and dismissed concerns about a possible arrest by Interpol.
After hearing arguments from both sides, trial Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter to Wednesday, July 17 for ruling.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is currently standing trial over alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud case. He is charged alongside two Kogi State officials—Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The charge, marked CR/7781, includes allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property.
The EFCC alleged that Bello used state funds to acquire various properties, including:
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No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja – N950 million
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No. 1160, Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja – N100 million
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No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja – N920 million
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Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N170 million
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Hotel Apartment, Burj Khalifa, Dubai – AED 5,698,888
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Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N60 million
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No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N310.4 million
He is also accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and unlawfully possessing N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
The court had previously ordered his remand in Kuje prison on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, but later granted him bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum. His co-defendants were granted bail earlier.
