Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has been granted leave by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to observe the lesser hajj (Umrah).
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request following a motion filed by the ex-governor’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
Daudu, while moving the application dated January 19 and filed January 20, prayed the court to allow temporary release of his client’s international passport to enable him observe the last 10 days of Ramadan..
He said the former governor intended to travel between March 13 and March 22, during the tail end of the Islamic fasting month, which this year runs from February 18 to March 19.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said the agency had no objection to the application.
When asked to clarify how many days he planned to spend in the Holy Land, Bello told the court that although he would have loved to spend the full 30 days of Ramadan, he was being mindful of his ongoing trial.
Bello said, “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 Shawwal immediately after, but I will not want to take anyone for granted.”
He added that he would spend only the last 10 days of the fasting period in Mecca.
Ruling on the motion, Justice Nwite held that, since the prosecution did not oppose the request, the court had no reason to deny it.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel to the defendant and also observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application.
“Hence, the defendant shall only spend 10 days in the Holy Land, which shall commence on March 13,” the judge ruled.
The judge adjourned the case till January 30 for the continuation of the trial.
Yahaya Bello is facing prosecution by the EFCC over allegations bordering on financial mismanagement during his tenure as governor of Kogi State.
Read also:
Court Refuses Yahaya Bello’s Bail Application
Court Grants Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Leave to Travel for Lesser Hajj
About the Author
