The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to travel outside Nigeria for medical treatment. The anti-corruption agency described the request as an abuse of court process.
During a court session in Abuja, EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the medical conditions cited by Bello hypertension and hypercalcemia (low potassium) were not life-threatening and could be treated in Nigerian hospitals.
The prosecution reminded the court that Bello, during his time as governor, had boasted about building ultra-modern hospitals in Kogi State to reduce medical tourism. “This defendant insisted that the hospitals were built to curb medical tourism,” Pinheiro said, questioning why he now seeks treatment abroad.
The EFCC also challenged the medical report submitted by Bello, noting that it failed to state the doctor’s qualifications and did not convincingly justify the need for foreign treatment.
Pinheiro further warned that allowing the former governor to leave the country could interfere with ongoing legal proceedings. He revealed that Bello is on Interpol’s red notice list due to the international dimension of the charges against him. “He can be ‘Hushpuppied’ to the US or UAE,” the EFCC counsel added, referring to the infamous extradition of internet fraudster Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas.
The commission also accused Bello of filing a similar application before another court in Abuja where he faces separate charges, and noted that his sureties had not been informed of his latest move.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter for ruling after hearing arguments from both sides. Bello is facing multiple corruption charges, including alleged financial mismanagement during his time as governor.
