By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, June 27, 2025, strongly opposed an application filed by embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, seeking the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The matter came up before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, during the resumed hearing of Bello’s trial over an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
Bello’s counsel, Chief J.B. Daudu, SAN, argued passionately for the court to consider the health of his client, whom he described as in urgent need of medical attention that could not be provided within Nigeria. The application, he explained, was predicated on Section 173(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Daudu stated that the application was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the defendant himself, including annexed documents such as a medical report and a letter from a consultant cardiologist. He said the former governor had not travelled out of the country in more than eight years and submitted that the current situation merited urgent intervention.
“The subject of this application is the release of his passport, which was surrendered as part of his bail conditions. What should be considered is not whether there are alternatives in Nigeria but whether the defendant poses a flight risk,” Daudu submitted.
He further argued, “He has no criminal record in those countries. The defendant is not a flight risk and will return before the end of August. My lord can even specify a return date.”
However, counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, vehemently opposed the motion, describing it as an abuse of court process and a re-litigation of previously decided issues. He noted that Bello had filed similar applications before other courts, including the FCT High Court, all seeking the same relief, which he said amounted to forum shopping.
Pinheiro presented five core arguments against the application. Firstly, he maintained that the motion was “technically incompetent” as the sureties who guaranteed Bello’s bail were neither informed nor made parties to the application, raising questions about their accountability should the defendant abscond.
He also stressed the gravity and international dimensions of the charges against the former governor, pointing out that the case involved transactions and properties in Dubai, as well as funds traced to bank accounts in the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The defendant is already under a red notice and international alert. He risks being arrested abroad and extradited. He could be ‘Hushpuppied’ from Dubai,” Pinheiro said, referring to the infamous cybercrime suspect extradited to the U.S. from the UAE.
Pinheiro also questioned the credibility of the medical report submitted by the defence, stating that the signatory failed to include any professional qualifications or areas of medical specialization.
“He says he has low potassium; bananas and pawpaw will handle that. This is not sufficient reason to fly to the UK,” he argued. He further mocked the defence’s justification, recalling that Bello had commissioned an “ultra-modern” hospital during his tenure as governor. “From Abuja to Lokoja is two hours. I advise him to visit that hospital rather than take a six-hour flight abroad,” Pinheiro quipped.
In a reply on points of law, Daudu countered that the sureties were not required to be joined in the motion and that the red notice mentioned had lapsed since Bello had now submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the court. He urged Justice Nwite to exercise his discretion judiciously and grant the request in the interest of justice.
Meanwhile, during the earlier part of proceedings, cross-examination resumed for Prosecution Witness 4 (PW4), Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank Plc. The defence challenged the witness on the scope of his authority over several bank accounts tendered as exhibits, many of which were outside his direct supervision.
In a notable clarification, PW4 addressed an earlier allegation of being harassed by the defendant’s aides, stating: “I want it on record that the incident happened while I was trying to get a seat. I later got one and I have no issue with anyone.”
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the substantive trial to July 3 and 4, 2025, and reserved ruling on the medical travel application for July 21, 2025.
In an official signed statement released after the court proceedings, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, affirmed the Commission’s opposition to the application and reiterated its readiness to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
“The EFCC maintains that no one is above the law, and medical grounds must not be used as a tool to obstruct the course of justice. The Commission remains committed to ensuring full accountability in line with its mandate,” Oyewale stated.
Bello is standing trial alongside three co-defendants for alleged misappropriation and laundering of public funds to the tune of over ₦80.2 billion during his tenure as Kogi State governor.
