The trial of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello for alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering has taken a dramatic turn. During court proceedings on Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed Bello’s application to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment, revealing that he is on Interpol’s “red notice” and could be arrested if he leaves the country. The EFCC argued that his health issues are not life-threatening and can be treated in Nigeria, but the defense insists on his need for foreign medical care. The court is set to rule on the travel application on July 21.
- Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has applied to the court to travel to the UK for medical reasons.
- The EFCC has strongly opposed the application, stating his medical issues are not life-threatening and can be treated locally.
- In a dramatic revelation, the EFCC’s counsel told the court that Bello is on an Interpol "red notice."
- The prosecution argued that travelling could lead to his arrest abroad, likening the risk to the case of "Hushpuppi."
- A bank witness testified that Bello was not a signatory or beneficiary to the accounts under investigation.
- The court has adjourned to July 21 to deliver a ruling on the travel application.
This legal standoff is a powerful reminder of how quickly power can shift from the red carpet to a red notice. The courtroom becomes a stage where a powerful politician’s quest for medical care abroad confronts the international web of justice, turning a personal request into a public predicament. It symbolizes the idea that a nation's justice system no longer operates in isolation; it is interwoven with global law enforcement.
- What is an Interpol "red notice"? It is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
- Why did the EFCC mention "Hushpuppi"? The EFCC counsel used the case of Hushpuppi, who was arrested abroad for crimes committed in Nigeria, as a cautionary example of what could happen to Bello if he travels.
- When will the judge make a decision? Justice Emeka Nwite will rule on the travel application on July 21.
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