A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for the lesser hajj.
The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, granted the application on Thursday, after Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved the motion on behalf of his client.
Daudu told the court that the application, filed on January 20, sought an order directing the temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him to travel for the religious exercise.
He said the former governor intends to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan in the holy land, noting that Muslims’ fasting period is expected to begin on February 18 and end on March 19.
Kemi Pinheiro, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the application.
When asked by the court to clarify the duration of his proposed trip, Bello said although he would have preferred to spend the entire Ramadan period in Makkah, he was mindful of the ongoing trial.
The former governor added that he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and only intended to spend the final 10 days of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia to offer prayers.
The judge, in his ruling, said, “I have listened to the submissions of learned counsel to the defendant and observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application”.
He ruled that Bello’s 10-day stay in Makkah should commence on March 13.
The judge adjourned the matter to January 30 for continuation of trial.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.
