N3billion Fraud: Court Grants Kogi Governor’s Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, Permission to Travel Abroad for Medical Treatment

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted permission to Mr. Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the request following an application moved by Bello’s counsel, Zakari Abbas. The motion was not opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was represented in court by Abbas Muhammed.

In a related ruling, the court also approved a travel application by Bello’s co-defendant, Yakubu Adabenege, allowing him to perform the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, scheduled to hold between July 28 and August 27.

Trial Adjourned Due to Absence of Lead Counsel

During the court session, EFCC counsel Abbas Muhammed informed the court that the day’s proceedings had been scheduled for the continuation of the cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness, Offure Achille, a staff member of Access Bank in Lokoja.

However, he explained that Bello’s lead counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, was unable to attend due to another engagement at the Supreme Court. Muhammed added that although their witness was present in the morning session, she would not be available for the afternoon and therefore requested an adjournment.

The court also reviewed two pending motions: one filed on May 12 seeking approval for Bello’s medical trip to London, and another filed on May 23 by Adabenege requesting leave to perform Hajj.

Justice Egwuatu approved both requests and ordered Bello to return his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court by September 12. Adabenege is required to return his passport by August 30.

The trial was adjourned to October 13 and 14 for continuation.

Bello’s Application for Medical Travel

In his motion, Bello asked the court to release his international passport to enable him to travel to the London Centre for Advanced Cardiology for follow-up consultations with his personal cardiologist from July 30 to September 10.

In an affidavit he personally deposed to, Bello stated that he had previously been granted similar permission in 2023 and complied by returning to Nigeria before the approved end date and surrendering his passport as ordered.

“On all four occasions the court granted me leave to travel, I returned as scheduled and submitted my passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this honourable court,” the affidavit read.

EFCC Witness Admits No Direct Evidence Against Bello

At a resumed hearing on June 17, EFCC witness Offure Achille admitted under cross-examination that Ali Bello’s name did not appear in any of the financial transactions related to the ongoing case.

Responding to questions from Bello’s counsel, Achille confirmed that while funds had been transferred from Kogi State local government accounts to three companies—Fazab Business Enterprise, Hyzman ARY, and Construction Limited—there were no complaints from the LGAs alleging that the transactions were fraudulent or unauthorized.

She emphasized that her testimony was based on her official responsibilities as a bank employee and that she had no personal interest in the matter.

Overview of the Case

Ali Bello and his co-defendants—Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello—are standing trial on an 18-count charge of money laundering. They are accused of the alleged diversion of approximately ₦3 billion belonging to the Kogi State government and its local government councils.

The EFCC is prosecuting the case, which continues to draw public attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and the sums involved.