Alleged Fraud: Court Refuses Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, turned down a request by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international passport in order to travel for a medical checkup.
The court stated that the medical report attached to the application was not signed by its maker.
Justice Emeka Nwite, while delivering the ruling at the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case filed against the former governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, however, said that, contrary, to the submission of the prosecution team, the application was not an abuse of court process.
The defendant had applied for the release of his travel document to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention.
The judge said Counsel to the defendant argued that the applicant was a known hypertensive patient for about 15 years.
The lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, was also said to have presented Exhibits A and B, which constituted expert report on the health status of the applicant, saying that sufficient materials had been placed before the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant.
The judge also recalled that the prosecution team argued that the application was an abuse of court process.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
