Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to return his international passport to enable him to travel overseas for medical attention.
Bello, who is currently facing trial over alleged involvement in an ₦80.2 billion money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made the request during proceedings on Friday.
His lead lawyer, J.B. Daudu (SAN), informed the court that the request was in line with the bail conditions, which require judicial approval for any international travel.
He emphasized that his client has urgent health concerns and plans to undergo medical evaluation during the court’s upcoming recess.
Opposing the application, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), argued that the motion lacked merit and pointed out that a similar request had previously been made at the FCT High Court.
He described the renewed effort as an abuse of court processes and confirmed that a counter-affidavit had already been filed.
Daudu responded by dismissing the prosecution’s claims, insisting that the EFCC was actually the party misusing court procedures. He noted that a further affidavit had been filed overnight in reaction to the EFCC’s counter-affidavit, with two attached exhibits.
He urged the court to consider the humanitarian aspect of the request, pointing out that his client has not travelled in the past eight years and now requires urgent medical attention.
Recalled that during the hearing, a prosecution witness and Zenith Bank compliance officer, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, refuted allegations by the EFCC that he had been harassed by security operatives linked to Bello.
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