‎A former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been granted permission by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to go to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 lesser Hajj in the holy Land. ‎‎The former Governor is currently standing trial before the court in alleged misappropriation of funds brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. ‎‎His application for permission to travel to Saudi for supplication filed on January 20, supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Yahaya Bello himself was moved by his lead counsel Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN. ‎According to the judge, “I have listened to the submissions of counsel in this matter and am minded to grant the application”. ‎The EFCC is prosecuting the former governor over alleged money laundering to a tune of N80.2 billion but Yahaya Bello denied the allegations when he was arraigned before the court.