The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Mr Bello’s request was presented yesterday, before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, during the resumed hearing of his alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case.
Mr Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, urged the court to prioritise the former governor’s health, arguing that the application was properly filed under Section 173(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
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Daudu informed the court that the application was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Bello, with accompanying documents including a medical report and a letter from a consultant cardiologist.
The defence argued that Mr Bello, who has not travelled outside Nigeria in over eight years, required urgent medical attention that could not be provided locally, not even in the hospital he constructed while in office.
Daudu stressed that Mr Bello was not a flight risk and had no criminal record abroad, offering that the court could fix a definite return date.
However, the EFCC, represented by prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro, strongly opposed the request, describing it as an abuse of court process.
Pinheiro noted that Mr Bello previously filed similar applications before other courts, which he said was improper and misleading.
Pinheiro raised five key objections, including that the motion was ‘technically incompetent’ because Mr Bello’s sureties were neither notified nor included in the application, raising concerns about accountability should Bello fail to return.
He also argued that money laundering is a transnational crime, citing charges involving properties in Dubai and funds in bank accounts in the US and UK.
The EFCC lawyer further warned that Mr Bello was already on a red notice and could risk international arrest and extradition.
“He could be ‘Hushpuppied’ from Dubai,” Pinheiro said, referring to the arrest of a known Nigerian fraudster abroad.
Pinheiro also dismissed the credibility of Mr Bello’s medical report, noting that the doctor who signed it failed to state his qualifications.
He argued that the alleged health issues, such as low potassium and mild hypertension, could be easily treated in Nigeria.
“Bananas and pawpaw can fix low potassium. He doesn’t need to fly to the UK for that,” he said.
He also referenced Mr Bello’s claim of building a state-of-the-art hospital in Kogi State.
“From Abuja to Lokoja is just two hours. He should visit that hospital instead of seeking a six-hour flight abroad,” Pinheiro added.
In response, Daudu maintained that the sureties were not required to be parties to the motion and contended that the red notice had lapsed following Mr Bello’s arraignment.
He urged the court to grant the application based on its discretion.
Meanwhile, earlier in the proceedings, the defence continued cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank Plc.
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The defence challenged Bata’s jurisdiction over several accounts presented in evidence, many of which fell outside his direct supervision.
Bata clarified to the court that contrary to earlier reports, he was not harassed by Mr Bello’s security team but merely experienced difficulty securing a seat in court.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to 3 and 4 July 2025 for further hearing and fixed 21 July 2025 for ruling on Bello’s application to travel abroad.
