By Rafiyat Sadiq
An FCT High Court in Abuja has declared that it is not in possession of the international passport of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, who presided over the matter on Thursday, stated that the travel document is currently in the custody of the Federal High Court.
The judge made the clarification while ruling on an application filed by Bello seeking the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment. The former governor is facing a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering and property fraud amounting to N110 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Judge Describes Application as Misleading
Justice Anenih noted that the application was based on a wrong assumption that the passport was submitted to the FCT High Court. She said that even if the application had merit, her court could not consider it since the document was not in its custody.
She also stated that the bail conditions given to Bello required him to deposit his international passport or submit an affidavit if the passport was being held by another court.
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The court confirmed that Bello, in his affidavit, had declared that the passport was in the custody of the deputy registrar of the Federal High Court.
The judge held that “the international passport cannot be in two places at the same time.
“This court is not in a position to speculate whether the defendant has more than one passport since such a claim was not made before this court.”
EFCC Opposes Passport Release
Earlier, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had filed an application dated June 19 and filed on June 20, requesting the release of the passport on health grounds. The motion was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the defendant himself, citing the need for medical attention abroad.
The EFCC, however, filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application, arguing that the request should not be granted. The court records initially showed that Bello had been directed to submit his travel documents, but a later search by the registry revealed that the passport was not with the FCT High Court.
Adjournment for Continuation of Trial
Following Thursday’s ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to October 8 for continuation of the trial. Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, was first arraigned on November 27, 2024, on charges relating to the alleged diversion and laundering of public funds during his tenure as governor.
Bello is also being prosecuted by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a separate charge of alleged money laundering.
Bello had submitted the passport as part of the conditions attached to the bail granted him by both courts.
He also filed for the release of his passport based on health grounds. With this ruling, Yahaya Bello’s fate to travel abroad is now left in the hands of only the Federal High court judge, Justice Emeka Nwite
Pinnacle Daily recalls that the EFCC had opposed an application by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.