The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a fresh application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking leave of court to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The application was presented on Thursday, June 27, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, during the ongoing trial of Bello over an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering case.
Bello’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, urged the court to consider the defendant’s health as a priority, noting that the request was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit, medical documents, and a letter from a cardiologist. He said Bello, who has not travelled abroad in over eight years, requires urgent treatment unavailable in Nigeria — even at the hospital he helped build.
Daudu argued that Bello poses no flight risk and has no criminal record abroad. He requested the court to temporarily release the defendant’s passport, which had been deposited as part of his bail conditions.
However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the motion, describing it as a repeated and improper attempt to obtain the same relief through multiple courts. He listed five objections, including the failure to notify Bello’s sureties, concerns over international flight risk due to related money laundering charges abroad, and the lack of credibility in the submitted medical report.
“The health conditions listed—low potassium and mild hypertension—can be treated locally,” Pinheiro said. “He boasted of building a modern hospital in Kogi; he should use it. There’s no justification for a six-hour flight abroad.”
He added that Bello remains under international watch and could be arrested outside Nigeria, referencing extradition cases such as that of cybercriminal Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas.
Responding, Daudu argued that the red notice had expired and maintained that sureties were not required to be included in the application. He urged the court to exercise discretion in favour of the defendant.
Earlier in the proceedings, the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 4, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank Plc, continued. He clarified that he was not harassed in court as previously implied but had merely struggled to find a seat.
Justice Nwite adjourned further hearing to July 3 and 4, 2025, and fixed July 21, 2025, to rule on the application seeking permission for Bello to travel abroad.
