The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected the application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to retrieve his international passport for a planned medical check-up abroad.
Bello, standing trial on alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering, requested his passport through his counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, during proceedings on Friday.
News360 Info reports that EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the request, stating a counter-affidavit had been filed and accused the defence of abusing the court process by reopening a matter already before the FCT High Court.
Daudu responded swiftly, “We were served with the counter-affidavit yesterday (Thursday), and overnight, we filed a further affidavit addressing the complainant’s counter-affidavit, supported by two exhibits.
“My lord, the substance of this application is the release of my client’s international passport in accordance with the bail conditions, which require court approval for travel. He has pressing medical needs to attend to during the court’s vacation period. After eight years without travelling, he needs to address specific aspects of his health.”
Also on Friday, EFCC witness and Zenith Bank compliance officer, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, firmly denied allegations that Bello’s security aides harassed him.
During cross‑examination, Bata clarified, “I wish to clarify the matter raised earlier before the commencement of proceedings. I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant. I was not harassed at all, and I felt the need to clarify this, my lord
He confirmed that the EFCC’s claims on its website misrepresented the incident, an issue the prosecution said would be referred back to the commission.
Responding, Pinheiro assured the court that he would notify the EFCC of the defence’s concerns.
Under further cross-examination by Daudu, Bata confirmed that Bello was neither a signatory to nor listed as a beneficiary of any transactions in the accounts submitted as evidence.
He admitted that, going through Exhibit 22A, from pages 24 to 413, Yahaya Bello was not listed on any of the documents as a beneficiary of any transaction.
The witness stated, “From the documents presented, there is no mention of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, as a signatory or beneficiary in any transaction.”
The compliance officer also mentioned the signatories on the accounts managed for the Kogi State Government House Administration and confirmed the letters that introduced those who replaced some key officials over time.
The prosecution objected to some of the defence’s questions, asserting that the witness should limit his testimony to the documents provided, stating, “The witness is not an expert in law.”
However, Justice Nwite remarked, “The witness, as an expert, knows what to say.”
He further confirmed that the authorised signatories ranged from the Permanent Secretary to the Chief Accountant and Accountant.
