A Federal High Court in Abuja has permitted former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah) and observe the last 10 days of Ramadan this year.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Emeka Nwite approved Bello’s request on Thursday, ordering the temporary release of his international passport, which had been held by the court as part of his bail conditions, so he can make the religious trip.
Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the application, filed on January 20 and supported by an affidavit, sought the passport release and permission for the former governor to travel during the Ramadan period, which this year is expected to run from February 18 to March 19.
The prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, appearing for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the application, but made clear that the prosecution would not agree to postpone any scheduled trial dates because of the trip.
When asked how long he planned to stay in the Holy Land, Bello told the court he would spend only the final 10 days of Ramadan there, even though he would have preferred to be in Saudi Arabia for the full fasting period. He said he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and intended the pilgrimage to pray for deliverance from his legal challenges.
Justice Nwite agreed and set the start of Bello’s 10-day stay for March 13, 2026, after noting that the prosecution did not oppose the motion. The court then adjourned the matter to January 30 for the continuation of the trial.
Bello is currently standing trial before the court, facing allegations of money laundering amounting to about N80.2 billion brought by the EFCC, charges he denies and has pleaded not guilty to.
