The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Saudi Arabia to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the approval after Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), moved an application seeking the temporary release of the ex-governor’s international passports to enable him perform the lesser hajj.
Daudu told the court that the motion, dated January 19, was filed on January 20, adding that Bello intended to travel during Ramadan, which runs from February 18 to March 19.
He said the application also sought the court’s leave for the former governor to be away solely for religious observance.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), did not oppose the request.
While clarifying the duration of the proposed trip, Bello told the court that although he would have preferred to spend the entire Ramadan in the Holy Land, he was conscious of the ongoing trial instituted against him by the EFCC.
He said he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and would limit his stay in Mecca to the final 10 days of Ramadan to offer prayers.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, noted the absence of opposition from the prosecution and granted the application with conditions.
“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel to the defendant and observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application,” the judge said.
He ruled that Bello would spend only 10 days in the Holy Land, beginning from March 13.
The case was thereafter adjourned till January 30 for continuation of trial.