Yahaya Bello gets court permission to go on pilgrimage to Mecca

By Taiye Agbaje

Former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello on Thursday got court permission to abandon his trial for money laundering to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan in the Holy land.

Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court in Abuja granted application.

The ex-governor’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had in a motion sought an order directing and permitting a temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj during this year’s Ramadan.

The Ramadan will commence from Feb. 18 and ends March 19.

He said the application also sought an order granting permission to travel to holy land during the Ramadan period.

Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who appeared for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the application.

Earlier when the former governor was permitted by the court to clarify on how many days he intends to spend abroad, he said though he would have loved to spend the 30 days in holy land, he was mindful of his trial by the EFCC.

Bello said though he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years, he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca to offer prayers to God.

“As said by my defence counsel, I have not travelled outside this country in the last eight years.

“I would have loved to spend the whole of Ramadan in Mecca and to observe Shittu Shawal immediately after Ramadan, but I will not want to take any one for granted,” he said.

The ex-governor then said he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca.

Justice Nwite, who granted the prayer, observed that the prosecution did not oppose the request.

“I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel to defendant and also observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application.

“Hence, the defendant shall only spend 10 days in holy land which shall commence on March 13,” he ruled.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Jan. 30 for continuation of trial.

Recall that the had in July 2025 declined a request by Yahaya Bello the release of his international passport to travel abroad for medicare.

The former governor had applied for the release of his travel document to enable him travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical attention.

Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had argued that the applicant was a known hypertensive patient for about 15 years.

Daudu submitted that two exhibits; Exhibits A and B, had been placed before the court which constituted expert report on the health status of ex-Gov. Bello.

He said sufficient materials had been placed before the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant.

Justuc Emeka Nwite, while delivering a ruling held that the medical report attached to the application was not signed by its maker.

tHE at the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case preferred against Bello by the EFCC,