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Federal High Court grants former Kogi State governor permission to perform Hajj
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Passport temporarily released from March 13 for 10 days
- Bello continues to face EFCC charges for alleged misappropriation of N80.2bn and N110bn
A Federal High Court in Abuja has allowed former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 lesser Hajj.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the temporary release of Bello’s international passport—which had been held by the court—for a 10-day period starting March 13, 2026.
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Bello filed the application on January 20, supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit, stating that he had not visited the Holy Land in over eight years and sought to pray for divine intervention regarding the ongoing EFCC trial against him.
During proceedings, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, requested permission for the pilgrimage, while prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, raised no objection to the travel but insisted that the trial dates remain unaffected.
The former governor is currently facing multiple EFCC charges, including money laundering of N80.2 billion and allegations of conspiring to divert over N110 billion from Kogi State’s coffers, some of which were allegedly used to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai. Bello has denied all allegations.
The court has adjourned the case to January 30 for the continuation of the examination of the seventh prosecution witness.
This ruling allows Bello to undertake his religious obligations while remaining under the court’s supervision.