Abuja: Justice Maryann Anenih of an Abuja High Court has deferred the ruling on an application by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who seeks permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces a 16-count charge related to alleged property fraud amounting to N110 billion.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the court’s decision was postponed to July 17 after hearing arguments on Bello’s application to visit the United Kingdom for medical reasons. Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing Bello, submitted a request to release his client’s international passport to facilitate this travel. The application, initially filed on June 20, was supported by a detailed affidavit from Bello himself.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the request, citing potential delays in legal proceedings. Daudu countered by presenting additional affidavits, including court rulings related to Bello’s bail, to bolster his case. He argued that filing similar applications in different courts was necessary due to the dual charges initiated by the complainant.
Prosecution counsel Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, emphasized the need for Bello’s sureties to be informed of his travel plans, questioning the propriety of simultaneous applications in different courts. Enebeli warned of potential judicial conflicts if differing decisions were made by the courts, and raised concerns about Bello being on a “red letter alert,” which Daudu dismissed as irrelevant.
Justice Anenih, after considering the submissions from both sides, deferred the ruling to July 17, 2025.
