The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for the release of his international passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, dismissed the application on Monday, ruling that the medical report submitted to support the request was unsigned and therefore had no legal value.
Bello is currently facing charges of alleged N80.2 billion fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case is ongoing before both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court in Maitama, where he faces similar charges.
In the FCT court, Justice Maryanne Anenih declined to entertain a similar application, stating that the passport was not in her court’s custody, and any order she might issue would be ineffective.
Meanwhile, the EFCC opposed Bello’s application at the Federal High Court, describing it as an abuse of court process, citing the risk of conflicting rulings from two courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
Justice Nwite, however, ruled that the application did not constitute an abuse of process, as Bello had sought leave appropriately. He also dismissed the EFCC’s objection that Bello’s sureties should have been notified of the motion, stating that there was no legal requirement to involve sureties in such applications.
“The complainant did not cite any law, local or international, requiring that sureties be made parties to a motion on notice,” the judge said.
However, the turning point in the ruling was the judge’s finding that Exhibit B, a medical report provided by Bello’s counsel, was not signed by the author. The court held that an unsigned document carries no probative value and cannot be relied upon.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court to warrant the release of his passport for travel. Consequently, this application is hereby refused,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The court adjourned the matter to October 7, 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.
