Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Saudi Arabia to observe the 2026 lesser Hajj (Umrah). Bello is currently facing trial before the court over alleged misappropriation of public funds, following charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Counsel explained that the application was made to allow Bello travel to the Holy Land during the month of Ramadan to perform the lesser Hajj. Responding on behalf of the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the EFCC did not oppose the application for travel. The EFCC is prosecuting Bello over alleged money laundering involving ₦80.2 billion, charges which the former governor denied when he was arraigned before the court.