The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected the application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The anti-graft agency told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that the request was an abuse of court process.
EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said Bello cited hypertension and hypercalcemia as his health concerns but failed to prove that the conditions were life-threatening.
Pinheiro argued that Nigeria has capable hospitals to handle such ailments, even referencing Bello’s claims of building ultra-modern hospitals in Kogi.
“This defendant insisted that the hospitals were built to curb medical tourism,” Pinheiro told the court, dismissing the medical report provided by Bello, which he said lacked the qualifications of the doctor who signed it.
EFCC further raised fears over Bello’s possible escape from justice if allowed to leave Nigeria. The commission revealed that it had already placed Bello on Interpol’s red list.
“He doesn’t know what is awaiting him there. He can be Hushpuppied to the US or UAE. That is a risk because it will affect this trial,” the prosecution counsel warned.
Pinheiro also pointed out that those who stood surety for Bello were not notified of the application and accused the former governor of filing a similar request in a separate Abuja high court where he faces a different charge.
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