🇳🇬 Court Approves Kogi Chief of Staff Ali Bello’s Medical Trip to UK Amid Ongoing N3bn Money Laundering Trial
By Andrew Haruna
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to Mr. Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, to travel to the United Kingdom for advanced medical treatment, amid his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering involving N3 billion.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu approved the application on Wednesday following a motion moved by Bello’s lawyer, Zakari Abbas. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Abbas Muhammed, did not oppose the motion.
In a similar ruling, the court also permitted Bello’s co-defendant, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, to embark on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled between July 28 and August 27.
The EFCC’s counsel earlier informed the court that the trial, initially slated for continuation of cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness, Offure Achille of Access Bank, Lokoja, could not proceed due to the absence of Bello’s lead counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), who was engaged at the Supreme Court.
Muhammed requested an adjournment, noting the unavailability of their witness for the afternoon session.
Justice Egwuatu, ruling on the pending applications, granted both travel requests and directed that:
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Ali Bello must return his international passport to the court by September 12, 2025.
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Yakubu Adabenege must surrender his travel documents by August 30, 2025.
The judge adjourned further hearing in the trial to October 13 and 14, 2025.
Background of the Application
Bello, in a motion filed on May 12, requested the court’s permission to travel to the London Centre for Advanced Cardiology for a series of follow-up examinations and consultations with his personal cardiologist between July 30 and September 10. He also sought the release of his international passport currently held by the Deputy Chief Registrar.
In a sworn affidavit, Bello reminded the court that similar permissions had been granted on three previous occasions—including one from August 1 to August 31, 2023—and that he complied each time by returning before the deadline and surrendering his passport.
“On all four occasions, I travelled and returned as directed, while also returning my international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this Honourable Court,” Bello stated.
EFCC Witness Admits Bello’s Name Not in Transaction Records
At the last hearing on June 17, the EFCC’s witness, Offure Achille, under cross-examination, admitted that Ali Bello’s name did not appear in any of the bank transactions central to the money laundering case.
She confirmed that funds were transferred from Kogi State local government accounts to companies including Fazab Business Enterprise, Hyzman ARY, and Construction Limited, but noted that no complaints were received from any of the LGAs indicating the transactions were illegal or unauthorized.
Achille further testified that she had no personal stake in the case and her testimony was given strictly in her capacity as a bank official.
Ongoing Trial and Charges
Ali Bello is standing trial alongside Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal misappropriation, and diversion of public funds allegedly amounting to N3 billion.
The EFCC alleges that the funds were illicitly moved from Kogi State government accounts and its local government councils.