According to a NewsVista report, a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Ali Bello — nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello — permission to travel to the UK for medical care, despite facing trial for allegedly stealing N3 billion.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu approved the request on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, after Bello’s lawyer, Zakari Abbas, asked for the release of his passport. Interestingly, the EFCC — which is prosecuting the case — did not oppose the motion. Bello, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi Governor Usman Ododo, must return his passport to the court by September 12.
In the same court sitting, another defendant in the case, Yakubu Adabenege, was cleared to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, provided he returns his passport by August 30. The court scheduled further hearings for October 13 and 14.
However, the former governor himself, Yahaya Bello, has not been granted similar permission. Bello is also facing charges from the EFCC and recently asked to travel to the UK to see a cardiologist. His lawyer argued he hasn’t left Nigeria in eight years and urgently needs medical attention.
But the EFCC pushed back, warning the court that Bello may abscond and reminding them that he built a state-of-the-art hospital in Kogi that could serve his needs. They also accused him of filing the same application in multiple courts — a violation of legal procedure.
The judge handling Bello’s request, Justice Emeka Nwite, will announce a decision on July 21.
With rising political tensions and ongoing corruption cases — including fresh buzz around a possible Atiku-Obi alliance for 2027 — Nigerians are watching the courtroom drama unfold closely.
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