The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, filed an application to have his international passport temporarily released so that he could travel overseas for medical treatment. The Federal Capital Territory High Court, located in Maitama, Abuja, postponed its decision until July 17, 2025.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Maryann Anenih set the date.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is pursuing charges against Bello and two other individuals for allegedly embezzling ₦110.4 billion in public monies while serving as Kogi State governor.
Joseph Daudu (SAN) represents Bello, and Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) leads the EFCC’s legal team.
Daudu told the court at the reopened hearing that Bello’s passport, which is now deposited with the court registrar as part of his bail requirements, had been the subject of a motion dated June 19 and filed on June 20.
According to him, the application is backed up by a 22-paragraph affidavit that Bello himself deposed to, as well as attachments that include a medical report and a letter of appointment from his doctor overseas.
Daudu contended that the request was made on 13 valid grounds, pointing out that the court had previously ruled in December 2024 that the defendant could submit a formal application to the court if he wanted to travel.
He emphasized that the decision did not specifically forbid going abroad or set down any requirements for such a journey.
Additionally, he claimed that the passport release request was consistent with the court’s previous stance by citing a Certified True Copy of the court’s previous bail decision, which was admitted as Exhibit C.
He argued that Bello had regularly been in court, was not a flight risk, and had told his sureties about his intended itinerary.
Chukwudi Enyebili (SAN), who represented the prosecution, disagreed with the defense’s application, though.
Adopting the 45-paragraph counter-affidavit submitted by Abubakar Wara to the EFCC, Enyebili characterized the defense application as an abuse of the legal system.
He pointed out that the Federal High Court, which is also expecting a decision later this month, had received a similar application from Bello.
He maintained that requesting the same remedy in two courts at the same time compromises the integrity of the legal system and increases the possibility of contradictory decisions. “This court does not have the passport that is being sought to be released,” Enyebili claimed.
He requested the court to refrain from issuing any directives regarding documents that are not under its care, adding that the Federal High Court’s judgment predates the current case.
The medical report was signed by a different doctor from the one who made the appointment, and the report omitted the signing physician’s credentials, according to Enyebili, who also questioned the legitimacy and authenticity of the medical records that were provided. He wrote it down as “a worthless paper.”
Regarding medical possibilities, the prosecution contended that Bello ought to receive care in Kogi State, where he allegedly commissioned a state-of-the-art Reference Hospital with the goal of lowering medical tourism.
The prosecution cautioned that letting Bello leave the country could endanger the trial, citing the case’s global scope and money laundering allegations.
Additionally, Enyebili mentioned that Bello had previously been placed on a watchlist by Interpol, but the defense insisted that this had happened prior to his court appearance and was no longer in force.
In response, Daudu claimed that the sureties were adequately informed, that the defense had not violated any bail terms, and that the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court, which have coordination jurisdiction, could each decide on such motions separately and without conflict of law.After hearing both sides’ arguments, Justice Anenih postponed making a decision until July 17.
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