The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly opposed a fresh application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, seeking to travel out of Nigeria for medical treatment, describing it as a thinly veiled attempt to flee justice.
In a dramatic court session on Thursday, June 27, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, said the request amounted to “a gross abuse of court process” and accused Bello’s legal team of forum shopping.
Bello, who is facing trial for allegedly laundering ₦80.2 billion, filed an application to temporarily retrieve his international passport in order to seek treatment abroad. His lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the former governor’s condition could not be managed locally—even in the state-of-the-art hospital he himself commissioned while in office.
The motion, backed by a 22-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Bello himself, included a letter from a consultant cardiologist whose qualifications were immediately questioned by the EFCC.
Pinheiro, in a fiery rebuttal, accused the defense of attempting to manipulate the system. “This is not about medical care. It’s a calculated move to escape justice. Who takes responsibility if he doesn’t come back?” he asked, pointing out that Bello’s sureties were not even part of the application.
He also warned that the ex-governor is under international watch. “This man is on red alert. He risks being picked up and extradited. He could be Hushpuppied out of Dubai,” Pinheiro said, referring to the infamous arrest of Nigerian internet fraudster Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas.
Mocking the medical reasons cited by Bello’s lawyers—low potassium and mild hypertension—Pinheiro retorted: “Let him eat banana and pawpaw. He doesn’t need to fly six hours to London.”
He also questioned the rationale behind not using the multi-billion naira medical facility built under Bello’s own administration in Kogi. “From Abuja to Lokoja is just two hours. He built a world-class hospital; let him use it.”
Defending the application, Daudu argued that Bello hadn’t traveled outside Nigeria in eight years, had no criminal record abroad, and had no intention of fleeing. “His red alert status has expired. He is now under court jurisdiction. He just needs to access medical care. My Lord can even fix a return date,” Daudu said.
Justice Emeka Nwite reserved ruling on the application to a later adjourned date.
Bello’s legal woes stem from EFCC’s allegations that he laundered billions of naira during his tenure as governor, with the funds allegedly traced to foreign bank accounts and luxury properties in the US, UK, and Dubai.
