Bello Asks Court To Release Passport For Medical Trip

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Friday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to release his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Bello is currently standing trial on charges of alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦80.2bn, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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

“After eight years without travelling, he needs to address specific aspects of his health,” Daudu said, adding that court permission was part of the bail terms.

He disclosed that a further affidavit and two exhibits had been submitted in response to a counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution on Thursday.

EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), however, opposed the request, arguing that the application was incompetent and constituted an abuse of court process, given that a similar application was already pending before the FCT High Court.

Daudu pushed back, insisting that it was the prosecution, not the defence, guilty of duplicity.

Justice Emeka Nwite reserved ruling on the application for July 21, while fixing July 3 and 4 for the continuation of the trial.

Meanwhile, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, who appeared as the fourth prosecution witness, clarified in open court that he was not harassed by security aides attached to the defendant.

“I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant. I felt the need to clarify this, my Lord,” Bata said.

His statement came after the EFCC alleged that its witness was harassed at a previous sitting—an allegation also carried by the commission’s website.

Under cross-examination, Bata testified that Yahaya Bello’s name was not listed as a signatory or beneficiary on any of the account statements tendered as exhibits by the prosecution.

“From the documents presented, there is no mention of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, as a signatory or beneficiary in any transaction,” he said, referencing Exhibit 22A, covering pages 24 to 413.

He also named several signatories to the accounts, including a Permanent Secretary, a Chief Accountant, and an Accountant, all tied to the Kogi State Government House Administration.

Tension briefly flared when the prosecution objected to some questions by the defence, insisting NAIJAONPOINT should restrict his responses to documents already tendered.

Pinheiro argued, “NAIJAONPOINT is not an expert in law.”

But Justice Nwite overruled, saying, “NAIJAONPOINT , as an expert, knows what to say.”

Bata further explained that his oversight includes 13 bank branches in Abuja and surrounding areas but does not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory.

On Thursday, the court admitted statements of accounts belonging to the Kogi State Government House Administration during Bello’s tenure, along with certificates of identification submitted by NAIJAONPOINT in line with legal procedure.

As proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the July 21 ruling to determine whether the embattled former governor will be allowed to travel abroad for medical care.