Abuja — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted permission to former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 lesser Hajj (Umrah).
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, ordered the temporary release of Bello’s international passport, which had been deposited with the court, to enable him undertake the religious exercise.
Bello is currently facing trial before the court over alleged financial crimes filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the former governor over alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion, allegations he denied upon arraignment.
In an application dated January 20, 2026, Bello sought the court’s permission to travel to Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan for religious supplication.
Moving the application, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the former governor had not visited the Holy Land in over eight years.
Daudu said the trip was necessary for Bello to pray for divine intervention concerning the charges brought against him by the EFCC.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, said the EFCC would not oppose Bello’s request to travel for the lesser Hajj.
However, he stressed that the prosecution would not agree to any adjustment of the trial dates already fixed by the court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application.
“I have listened to the submissions of counsel in this matter and am minded to grant the application,” the judge said.
The court consequently approved the release of Bello’s passport from March 13, 2026, for a period of 10 days, and adjourned proceedings to Friday, January 30, for the continuation of trial.
Meanwhile, during proceedings, the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, an official of Access Bank subpoenaed by the court, testified on cash inflows from several local government areas in Kogi State.
Egoro told the court that funds were transferred into accounts belonging to Fazab Business Enterprise and E-Traders International Ltd, adding that multiple cash withdrawals were subsequently made from the accounts.
The trial continues.
