Court Grants Yahaya Bello’s Request To Travel To Saudi Arabia For Lesser Hajj

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been granted permission by the Federal High Court in Abuja to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 lesser Hajj.

Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request and ordered that Bello’s international passport, which had been held by the court, be temporarily returned to him.

Hahaha Bello is currently facing trial for alleged misappropriation of funds in a case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The travel request was made by Bello himself and filed by his lead lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

The defence explained that Bello wanted to perform the lesser Hajj during Ramadan, noting that he has not visited the Holy Land in over eight years and wished to pray for guidance regarding the EFCC charges.

The prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose Bello’s travel but made it clear that it would not affect the trial schedule.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite approved the release of Bello’s passport from March 13, 2026, for 10 days.

The judge also set January 30, 2026, for the continuation of the examination of the seventh prosecution witness.

KanyiDaily recalls that Yahaya Bello had denied the EFCC’s allegation of money laundering involving N80.2 billion.