The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State Governor, permission to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform lesser Hajj and observe the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the application following a motion filed by Joseph Daudu, SAN, Bello’s lawyer.
The motion, dated January 19 and filed on January 20, requested the temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him to travel to the holy land during this year’s Ramadan, which runs from February 18 to March 19.
Bello had earlier informed the court that, while he would have loved to spend the full 30 days in Mecca, he was mindful of his ongoing trial with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He explained that he has not traveled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and would be spending only the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca to offer prayers.
“As said by my defence counsel, 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 Shittu Shawal immediately after Ramadan, but I will not want to take anyone for granted,” Bello said.
The EFCC, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the application.
In granting the request, Justice Nwite ruled that Bello shall spend only 10 days in the holy land, beginning March 13. The judge also adjourned the trial until January 30 for its continuation.
