EFCC opposes Yahaya Bello’s request to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to leave Nigeria for medical treatment abroad, arguing against the necessity and legitimacy of the application.

The matter came up on Thursday, June 27, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, during the continuation of Bello’s trial on alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering charges. His lawyer, J.B. Daudu, SAN, urged the court to grant the former governor permission to travel for urgent medical care.

According to a statement released by the EFCC on Friday, Daudu cited Section 173(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) as well as the court’s inherent powers in support of the motion. He submitted a 22-paragraph affidavit from the defendant, which included medical documents and a letter from a consultant cardiologist.

Daudu argued that his client had not left the country in over eight years and now faced a serious health condition requiring treatment that could not be obtained even “in the hospital he built.” He told the court: “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.”

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He further claimed Bello had no prior criminal record internationally and gave assurances that he would return before August. “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,” Daudu said.

However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, raised objections, labeling the application “an abuse of court process.” He said Bello had filed similar requests in multiple courts, creating procedural confusion.

Pinheiro provided five reasons for rejecting the motion. Firstly, he argued that the application was defective because Bello’s sureties were neither notified nor involved, which he said could jeopardize the enforcement of bail conditions if Bello failed to return.

He also highlighted the international scope of the money laundering allegations, referencing properties in Dubai and funds in the UK and US. “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 warned, citing the infamous cybercrime case involving Ramon Abbas.

Furthermore, he challenged the credibility of the medical report presented by the defence, noting the absence of the doctor’s qualifications. He questioned the urgency of the medical claims: “He says he has low potassium; bananas and pawpaw will handle that. This is not sufficient reason to fly to the UK,” he stated.

Pinheiro also pointed out the irony that Bello had once taken pride in establishing a modern hospital in Kogi State. “From Abuja to Lokoja is two hours. I advise him to visit that hospital rather than take a six-hour flight abroad,” he added.

Responding on legal grounds, Daudu maintained that the sureties’ involvement was not mandatory for the application and argued that the red notice referenced by the prosecution was no longer valid since Bello had been arraigned. He urged the court to use its discretion in his client’s favour.

Earlier during proceedings, cross-examination resumed for the EFCC’s fourth witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank Plc. The defence raised questions about his authority over some of the bank accounts in evidence, pointing out that many did not fall under his immediate jurisdiction.

Addressing a prior issue raised in court, Bata clarified that he had not been mistreated by security personnel associated with the defendant. “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,” he testified.

Justice Nwite scheduled the continuation of trial for July 3 and 4, 2025, and set July 21, 2025, to deliver a ruling on the travel request.