A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a request by former Governor, Yahaya Bello, to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser hajj during the final days of Ramadan (February 18 – March 19), despite his ongoing trial over alleged money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the permission on Thursday after Bello’s legal team applied for the temporary release of his international passports. The application, filed by his counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, sought approval for the former governor to travel to Mecca to observe the last ten days of the Islamic fasting period.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by senoir lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, raised no objection to the request. During proceedings, the court asked Bello to clarify the duration of his proposed trip. The former governor told the court he intended to limit his stay to ten days out of consideration for his ongoing trial.
Bello explained that although he would have preferred to remain in Mecca throughout Ramadan, he chose a shorter stay in order not to delay court proceedings. He also told the court that he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past eight years.
In granting the request, Justice Nwite noted the absence of opposition from the prosecution and ruled that Bello must return within the approved ten-day period, beginning March 13. The judge subsequently adjourned the case until January 30 for continuation of trial.
The development contrasts with a previous ruling in July 2025, when the same court refused Bello’s request to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. At the time, his lawyers argued that he required specialist care for a long-standing health condition, but the court declined the application after finding deficiencies in the medical documentation presented.
Bello is currently standing trial following charges of alleged money laundering brought against him by the EFCC.
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