By Joy Yesufu
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to release his international passport for medical treatment abroad.
Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering ruling on Monday, held that the medical report submitted by Bello in support of his application was unsigned and therefore lacked legal weight.
Bello, who is currently facing trial over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had sought permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention.
His legal team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the former governor had been a hypertensive patient for over 15 years and submitted Exhibits A and B in support of the request.
However, the court found Exhibit B, a medical report purportedly detailing Bello’s condition, to be unsigned and devoid of probative value.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court to warrant the release of his passport for travel,” Justice Nwite ruled.
“Consequently, this application is hereby refused.”
The court also dismissed the EFCC’s claim that Bello’s application amounted to an abuse of court process.
The anti-graft agency had argued that Bello had filed a similar request before the FCT High Court in Maitama, citing conflicting decisions from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
Justice Nwite ruled otherwise, noting that the application did not constitute an abuse of process since both courts had separately granted him bail.
Meanwhile, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court had previously declined Bello’s application for passport release, noting that the document was not in her court’s custody but rather with the Federal High Court.
The EFCC also argued that Bello’s sureties were not notified of the application, but the court held that there was no legal requirement mandating their inclusion.
The trial continues on October 7, 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025.
