COURT OKAYS YAHAYA BELLO’S TRAVEL TO MECCA FOR LESSER HAJJ

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application on Thursday after Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, moved a motion seeking the temporary release of the former governor’s international passports to enable the trip.

Daudu told the court that the application, dated January 19 and filed on January 20, was to allow Bello perform the lesser hajj during Ramadan, which begins on February 18 and ends on March 19. He said the request was limited to the Ramadan period.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the application.

Addressing the court, Bello said he was conscious of his ongoing trial and would limit his stay abroad. He noted that he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years.

“I would have loved to spend the whole of Ramadan in Mecca and observe Shittu Shawal immediately after Ramadan, but I will not want to take anyone for granted,” Bello said.

He added that he would only spend the final 10 days of Ramadan in the Holy Land to offer prayers.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite noted the absence of opposition from the prosecution and granted the request, with conditions.

“The defendant shall only spend 10 days in the Holy Land, which shall commence on March 13,” the judge ruled.

The court subsequently adjourned the case to January 30 for continuation of trial.