A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello permission to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 lesser Hajj pilgrimage, despite his ongoing trial on alleged money laundering charges.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the temporary release of Bello’s international passport, which had been held by the court, to enable him undertake the religious pilgrimage.
Bello, who is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of N80.2 billion charges he has denied filed the application on January 20 through his lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN. His motion requested the passport release so he could travel to Mecca during Ramadan to observe the lesser Hajj a spiritual journey performed outside the main Hajj period.
During proceedings, Bello informed the court that he had not travelled abroad in over eight years and sought to spend 10 days in the Holy Land for prayer and supplication. The EFCC did not oppose the application but maintained that scheduled trial dates should not be delayed.
Justice Nwite granted the request, allowing Bello’s passport to be released from March 13, 2026, for 10 days. The court also adjourned the trial to January 30 for continuation of the prosecution’s witness examination.
The decision highlights the judiciary’s balance between a defendant’s constitutional rights, including freedom of religion, and the demands of ongoing criminal proceedings.Na
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