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 for the lesser hajj.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request on Thursday after Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, moved an application seeking the temporary release of his client’s passports for the trip.
The court noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the application.
Justice Nwite also adjourned the matter until January 30 for the continuation of trial.
Daudu told the court that the motion, dated January 19 and filed on January 20, sought an order permitting Bello to travel to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan, which begins on February 18 and ends on March 19.
Earlier, Bello informed the court that although he wished to spend the entire Ramadan in Mecca, he would limit his stay to 10 days in view of his ongoing trial. He added that he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past eight years.
In granting the request, Justice Nwite ruled that Bello must restrict his stay to 10 days, commencing from March 13.
Yahaya Bello said: “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.”
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled: “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.”
