Yahaya Bello, the immediate former governor of Kogi State, requested to travel overseas, but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, denied his request, claiming it was a misuse of the legal system.
Although the defendant claimed to have hypertension, hypercalcemia, or low potassium, no proof was presented to demonstrate that the condition was life-threatening, according to prosecution attorney Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
The prosecution claims that the nation has well-equipped hospitals that are capable of treating the illnesses.
The EFCC counsel informed the court that Bello claimed that he built ultra-modern hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities in Kogi while he was governor.
He dismissed the medical report tendered by Bello, saying it did not disclose the qualification of the doctor that signed it.
“This defendant insisted that the hospitals were built to curb medical tourism,” the prosecution counsel added.
The anti-graft agency also informed the court that the defendant was facing serious allegations that have international dimensions, insisting he could be arrested by the Interpol once he leaves the shores of Nigeria.
“This defendant is already on the red notice. The EFCC sent a letter to the Interpol when he was playing games with the prosecution and he was placed on the 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 stated.
Noting that those who stood surety for the defendant were not served with the application, EFCC accused the former governor of filing the same application before an Abuja high court, where he is facing another charge.
The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, after listening to both parties, adjourned the matter for ruling.
