Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Friday, urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to release his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for urgent medical attention.
Bello is currently facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering involving ₦80.2 billion during his time as governor.
Bello’s Legal Team Requests Passport Release
During Friday’s proceedings, Bello’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), filed an application requesting the release of the defendant’s travel documents. He cited pressing health concerns and the need for Bello to seek medical treatment overseas during the court’s vacation period.
“My lord, the substance of this application is the release of my client’s international passport in accordance with the bail conditions, which require court approval for travel. He has pressing medical needs to attend to. After eight years without travelling, he needs to address specific aspects of his health,” Daudu argued.
EFCC Opposes the Application
EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), strongly opposed the application, claiming that a similar request had already been filed at the FCT High Court, making the present one an abuse of court process. He maintained that the application lacked merit and was technically incompetent.
Daudu, however, insisted it was the prosecution that was abusing the legal process and said a further affidavit with exhibits had been submitted in response to the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.
Witness Denies Alleged Harassment by Bello’s Security Aides
Meanwhile, the fourth prosecution witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, denied claims by the EFCC that he was harassed by security details attached to the defendant.
- “My Lord, I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant. I was not harassed at all, and I felt the need to clarify this,” Bata stated under oath.
The defence team also raised concerns about false reports published on the EFCC’s website, accusing the agency of misrepresenting court proceedings and events.
Bello Not a Signatory to Kogi Government Accounts – Witness
Under further cross-examination, Bata confirmed that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear as a signatory or beneficiary on the Kogi State Government House Administration account documents (Exhibit 22A).
“From the documents presented, there is no mention of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, as a signatory or beneficiary in any transaction,” Bata testified.
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He also confirmed the names and designations of other signatories—ranging from Permanent Secretaries to Chief Accountants—based on official letters submitted during the trial.
Court Admits Evidence and Adjourns Case
On Thursday, the court admitted computer-generated statements of account for the Kogi State Government House during Bello’s tenure, along with certificates of identification in line with the Evidence Act.
Next Court Dates
- July 3 & 4, 2025 – Continuation of trial
- July 21, 2025 – Ruling on Yahaya Bello’s application for international travel
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