A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a request by former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 lesser Hajj, despite his ongoing trial over alleged financial crimes.
Justice Emeka Nwite, on Thursday, ordered the temporary release of Bello’s international passport, which had been deposited with the court, to enable him undertake the religious pilgrimage during the Ramadan period.
Bello is currently facing trial in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering involving the sum of N80.2 billion.
The former governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges since his arraignment.
In an application dated January 20 and supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit, Bello personally sought the court’s permission to travel to the Holy Land for supplication.
His lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the request was purely religious, noting that his client had not visited Saudi Arabia in over eight years.
Daudu explained that the former governor intended to observe the lesser Hajj and pray during Ramadan, adding that Bello believed the spiritual exercise was necessary as he sought divine intervention regarding the charges brought against him.
The prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the request. However, Pinheiro made it clear that the EFCC would not agree to any alteration of the trial dates already fixed by the court.
In his brief ruling, Justice Nwite said he had carefully considered the submissions of counsel on both sides and found merit in the application.
The judge consequently ordered the release of Bello’s passport from March 13, 2026, for a period of 10 days.
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The court also adjourned the matter to Friday, January 30, for the continuation of proceedings, specifically the examination of the seventh prosecution witness.
Earlier in the day, the seventh prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, an official of Access Bank subpoenaed by the court, testified on financial transactions linked to the case.
Egoro told the court that cash inflows from various local government areas in Kogi State were traced to accounts operated by Fazab Business Enterprise and E-Traders International Ltd, from which several cash withdrawals were also made.
The trial continues as the court balances the defendant’s right to religious observance with the need to ensure an uninterrupted judicial process.