Judge permits Yahaya Bello to observe Ramadan in Mecca

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah) and observe the final 10 days of Ramadan, despite his ongoing trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application on Thursday after Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), moved a motion seeking the temporary release of his client’s international passport.

Daudu informed the court that the application, dated 19 January, was filed on 20 January. He said the motion sought an order allowing Bello to travel to Mecca for the lesser hajj during Ramadan, which runs from 18 February to 19 March, and to observe the concluding days of the fasting period in the holy city.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), did not oppose the application.

Earlier, the court asked the former governor to clarify the duration of his proposed trip. Bello said that although he would have preferred to spend the entire Ramadan in Mecca, he was mindful of his ongoing trial.

He told the court that he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years and would limit his trip to the final 10 days of Ramadan to offer prayers.

“As stated by my defence counsel, I have not travelled outside this country in the last eight years,” Bello said.

“I would have loved to spend the whole of Ramadan in Mecca and observe Eid el-Fitr there, but I do not want to take anything for granted.”

In his ruling, Justice Nwite noted that the prosecution did not oppose the request and granted the application, with conditions.

“I have listened to the submissions of learned counsel to the defendant and observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application,” the judge said.

“Hence, the defendant shall only spend 10 days in the holy land, commencing from 13 March.”

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until 30 January for the continuation of the trial.