Crime

Court Says No to Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request, Cites Missing Passport

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 18th, 2025.

Court Says No to Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request, Cites Missing Passport

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has denied a request from Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, to travel abroad for medical care. According to Daily Watch Nigeria, the court ruled that it could not act on the application because it does not have custody of Bello’s international passport.

During proceedings on Thursday, Justice Maryann Anenih stated that the court had no authority to consider the application since the travel document in question was not before it. Bello’s legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu, had filed the motion on June 20, seeking the court’s permission for his client to leave the country for medical treatment. The motion was presented for argument at the last court session on July 8.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), currently prosecuting Bello on corruption-related charges, opposed the request. The EFCC filed a counter-affidavit, arguing that allowing the former governor to travel could disrupt the ongoing trial. The agency also contended that the motion was an abuse of court process, noting that a similar application is already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Daudu responded that the two cases are distinct, and therefore, filing a separate request in each court does not constitute procedural abuse.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih emphasized that even if she were inclined to grant the request, the court had no means of enforcing it since the passport is held by another court. Consequently, the application was rejected.

The trial was adjourned to continue on October 8 and 9, as well as November 13, 2025.

Bello is facing a 16-count charge involving the alleged misappropriation of N110.4 billion during his time as governor. The charges include criminal breach of trust, allegedly committed in violation of sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, and punishable under section 312.

Also standing trial with him are two of his former aides, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha, who are accused of helping to divert public funds for personal gain, including the purchase of luxury properties in Abuja and Dubai.

Separately, Bello is also being prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering totaling N80.2 billion. In that matter, he has similarly applied for permission to travel to the UK for medical reasons.

Bello has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the cases against him are politically motivated.