Investigation traces 'missing' Gov. Bello to German hospital

An investigation by The PUNCH newspaper has traced Governor Yahaya Bello to a German hospital, where he is expected to undergo eye surgery.
This is coming amid denials by Bello’s media team that the governors was ill.
Bello had not been seen in the state or at any public function both within and outside the country in over two weeks.
The PUNCH said Bello has been admitted into a hospital in Germany for eye surgery.
The PUNCH said it learnt that the governor went through Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, to Germany for the operation, which is expected to correct an eye ailment that had been troubling him for sometime.
The newspaper said though the nature of the eye problem could not be ascertained as at press time on Monday, a senior official in the state confirmed the development to one of its correspondents on condition of anonymity.
Bello was said to have travelled to Germany with some close aides and officials for the surgery.
It was gathered that the state Commissioner for Works, Land and Housing, Abdulmumini Sadiq, who earlier travelled with Bello, returned to Lokoja, the state capital, a few days ago to run some errands for the governor.
The source told The PUNCH: “The governor is not missing as being speculated.
“The fact is that he has an eye problem and he decided to travel to Germany for medical treatment.
“He actually travelled with some close aides, including about two or three commissioners.
“He is expected back in the state within two weeks, after he might have recovered from the effects of the surgery on his eyes.”
It was learnt that the governor, however, could not wait for a formal handing over to his deputy, Simon Achuba.
The governor, it was further gathered, did not also officially notify the state House of Assembly of his foreign trip, contrary to laid down regulations.
One of Bello’s media aides, Kingsley Fanwo, had in a statement on Sunday denied that Bello was ill.
Fanwo, in a statement, said: “I want to state clearly here for the avoidance of doubt that the rumour lacks any iota of truth. It is a reflection of the depth the enemies of Kogi State have gone in their desperate angst against fate.”