Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, urged Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the release of his travel documents to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Recall that Bello is currently facing trial for alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
During the proceedings, Bello’s legal representative, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court about the application seeking the return of the defendant’s international passport, emphasizing it was necessary for his client to seek medical care abroad.
However, the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the request, citing a counter-affidavit already filed in court.
He argued that the application was “technically incompetent” and constituted an abuse of court process, noting that a similar request had been filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
In response, Daudu refuted the allegation of abuse of process, asserting that it was instead the prosecution that was guilty of such conduct.
“We were served with the counter affidavit yesterday and we, overnight, filed a further affidavit to the complainant’s counter affidavit with two exhibits as well.
“My lord, the substance of the application is for the release of his international passport in line with the conditions for the bail that if he needs, he has to apply to court. He has medical needs to attend to during the period of the vacation. After eight years of not traveling, he needs to attend to certain aspects of his health,” Daudu told the court.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite fixed July 21 for ruling on the application.
Meanwhile, during cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, the witness denied being harassed by the defendant’s security aides. The EFCC’s lawyer had raised the allegation at the start of the proceedings, but Bata sought the court’s permission to clarify the issue.
“My Lord, I wish to clarify the matter raised earlier before the commencement of proceedings. I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant. I was not harassed at all, and I felt the need to clarify this, my lord,” he stated.
Daudu also brought the judge’s attention to a report on the EFCC’s website claiming that the Commission’s witness had been harassed, accusing the agency of misrepresenting the court proceedings. Pinheiro responded that he would bring the matter to the EFCC’s attention.
During further cross-examination, Bata confirmed that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear as a signatory or beneficiary in any of the bank accounts presented as evidence.
“I am here to speak on the documents before me. From the document, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello’s name did not feature in any description or as beneficiary in any transaction in the documents before me,” he said.
He also detailed the process by which officials responsible for the Kogi State Government House Administration accounts were replaced and confirmed letters introducing the new signatories. Bata clarified that his supervisory role at Zenith Bank was limited to 13 branches within Abuja and did not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory.
Following the close of cross-examination, Daudu commended the witness for his transparency and integrity in coming forward to correct the record regarding the harassment allegation.
The court adjourned the trial to July 3 and 4 for further hearing and July 21 for a ruling on Bello’s application to travel.
