Yahaya Bello Seeks Court Consent For Medical Trip Abroad

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Friday requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to release his international passport so he can travel abroad for medical treatment.

Bello is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion.

At the resumed hearing, Bello’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), filed an application seeking the release of the passport, citing his client’s urgent health concerns.

However, EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the request. He informed the court that a counter-affidavit had been submitted, arguing that the application was procedurally flawed. Pinheiro noted that a similar request had already been filed at the FCT High Court, calling it an abuse of court process.

Responding, Daudu accused the EFCC of being the one abusing court processes. He stated, “We received the counter-affidavit yesterday and have filed a further affidavit overnight, along with two supporting exhibits.”

He emphasized that Bello’s bail conditions permit him to travel with court approval and that his medical needs are pressing, especially as the court is about to go on vacation.

“After eight years without leaving the country, my client needs to attend to serious health matters,” Daudu said.

Meanwhile, the fourth prosecution witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, refuted claims by the EFCC that he was harassed by Bello’s security personnel.

The EFCC had earlier raised concerns that one of Bello’s aides intimidated the witness. However, Daudu challenged the allegation and assured the court that he would look into it.

Justice Emeka Nwite directed the defense to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Later, during the proceedings, Bata asked to address the court, clarifying, “My Lord, I want to state clearly that I was not harassed in any way by the defendant’s security team. I felt it necessary to make this known.”

The defence also highlighted a report on the EFCC’s website that allegedly misrepresented the incident and mischaracterized the previous day’s proceedings. In response, Pinheiro assured the court he would inform the EFCC about the defence’s concerns.

Under cross-examination by Daudu, Bata confirmed that Yahaya Bello was neither a signatory nor a beneficiary of any transactions linked to the accounts presented as evidence. Reviewing Exhibit 22A, pages 24 to 413, he said Bello’s name did not appear on any relevant documents.

The witness also detailed the account signatories for the Kogi State Government House Administration, noting that replacements for some officials were properly documented.

The prosecution objected to certain questions from the defence, arguing the witness should limit his answers to the submitted documents. Justice Nwite, however, allowed the witness to respond, stating, “The witness, as an expert, knows what to say.”

Bata explained that he oversees a cluster of 13 Zenith Bank branches within Abuja, including areas like Gwagwalada, University of Abuja, Baze University, Garki, and the Garki Ultra Modern Market. He confirmed that his supervision does not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory.

He was also asked to identify individuals listed as signatories to the accounts and their official designations, such as Permanent Secretary, Chief Accountant, and Accountant.

On Thursday, the court admitted as evidence the Kogi State Government House Administration’s account statements from Bello’s tenure, along with those of six others. The documents were certified and submitted in accordance with legal procedures.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case until July 3 and 4 for continuation of the trial. He also set July 21 as the date to rule on Bello’s application for the release of his passport.