By Rafiyat Sadiq
For the second time in one week, a Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the application of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international.
Mr Bello is seeking the release of his passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presides over Mr Bello’s ₦80 billion money laundering case, ruled on Monday that the former governor failed to present enough evidence to justify his request.
The trial was adjourned to October 7 and 10 and November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation.
This decision came just five days after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court also turned down a similar application by Mr Bello in a separate N110 billion corruption trial.
READ ALSO: FCT High Court Says Yahaya Bello’s Passport Not in Its Custody
FCT Court Says Passport Not in Its Custody
On Thursday, July 17, the FCT High Court clarified that it could not entertain Bello’s request because his international passport is not in its custody.
Justice Maryanne Anenih explained that since the document was deposited with the Federal High Court handling the other case, her court could not make any ruling on it.
“The passport cannot be in the custody of two different courts at the same time. Since the defendant has admitted that it was deposited with the Federal High Court, this court has no reason to issue any order,” she stated.
EFCC Opposes Application, Cites Flight Risk
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prosecuting Mr Bello in both courts, strongly opposed the applications.
The agency argued that the former governor posed a flight risk, citing his past failure to respond to multiple court summonses before eventually surrendering months later.
The EFCC reminded the court that the passport was part of the bail conditions imposed when Mr Bello was arraigned last year.
Why Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request Was Quashed for the Second Time
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that the medical documents presented by the defence were insufficient.
Specifically, the court noted that the main medical report tendered as Exhibit B was unsigned, making it legally invalid.
“A document not signed by its maker has no legal weight. Exhibit B is devoid of probative value and cannot be relied upon by this court,” the judge ruled.
Mr Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had argued that the former governor had suffered from hypertension for over 15 years and needed urgent medical care abroad.
He submitted two documents said to be medical reports, but the court found them lacking in legal merit.
Court Dismisses EFCC’s Objections
Justice Nwite also dismissed the EFCC’s argument that the application was an abuse of court process.
He stated that since the two courts involved are of coordinate jurisdiction, there was no conflict.
He clarified that the matter was strictly between the defendant and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that there was no legal requirement to involve the sureties before filing such a request.
“The prosecution failed to cite any local or international law that requires sureties to be made parties to the application,” he said.
He added that the request to travel did not violate any legal procedure and had followed due process.
However, due to the absence of a valid medical report, the court refused the application.
Ali Bello Granted Permission to Travel
In contrast to Yahaya Bello’s rejected application, his nephew, Ali Bello, was granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Ali Bello, who serves as the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, is facing prosecution in a separate ₦3 billion fraud case linked to the previous administration.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the travel request on health and religious grounds to both Ali Bello (the first defendant) and Yakubu Adabenege (the third defendant) in the case.
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.