Kogi CoS gets court’s permission for medical trip abroad

A federal high court in Abuja has granted Ali Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, permission to travel to the UK for medical examination and consultation.

In a ruling on Monday, Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, ordered the deputy chief registrar of the court to release Bello’s travel documents.

The judge further ordered Bello to return the international passport to the deputy chief registrar of the court on or before September 15.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the chief of staff over allegations of money laundering.

He is standing trial alongside Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadi Sadat. 

In the application dated April 2 but filed on April 5, Bello sought permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

He said the purpose of travel was to review his medication and undergo cardiac tests scheduled for July of each year.

He cited instances where he was granted permission to travel, adding that he returned his passport to the court before the due dates given.

The defendant also undertook to be law abiding in the UK if his application is granted.

Opposing the application, the EFCC through its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that Bello had not placed any medical report before the court to show the health condition that necessitated the medical appointment.

He argued that Bello might tamper with the evidence in the charges against him if the application is granted.

However, Egwuatu ruled in favour of the defendant.

“Since the grant of bail, he has not breached the terms of bail and has been coming to court to stand his trial,” the judge held.

“It is not controverted that this court had on two previous occasions granted the applicant similar prayers.

“On those two occasions, that is, between the 1st to 31st of August, 2023 and 17th of December, 2023 and 10th January, 2024, the applicant did not breach the terms of the permission granted.

“Applicant’s depositions that ‘on the two occasions, I returned my International Passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court was not denied by the respondent (EFCC).

“There is no evidence before this court that the applicant breached the terms of the grant or the terms of the bail granted to him by this court.”