The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has postponed its decision on an application by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is seeking temporary access to his international passport to travel abroad for medical care. The ruling has been scheduled for July 17, 2025.
Justice Maryann Anenih set the date after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Bello is currently facing trial alongside two co-defendants for allegedly mismanaging ₦110.4 billion in public funds during his time as governor.
The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro leading the EFCC team, while Bello is being represented by Joseph Daudu (SAN).
During the court session, Daudu informed the judge that an application had been filed on June 20, requesting the release of Bello’s passport, which is presently held by the court registrar as part of his bail conditions.
He said the motion is backed by a 22-paragraph affidavit sworn by Bello himself, and it includes a medical report and a letter from his doctor abroad.
Daudu explained that the request is based on 13 legal points, noting that a previous court ruling in December 2024 had allowed the possibility for foreign travel through a formal application. He argued that the court never banned international travel nor gave strict conditions for it.
He also referred to a Certified True Copy of the earlier ruling, marked as Exhibit C, claiming that the application aligns with the court’s previous stance. Daudu added that Bello has always shown up for court sessions, has not violated any bail terms, and has notified his sureties about the proposed medical trip.
However, prosecution counsel Chukwudi Enyebili (SAN) challenged the application. He adopted a 45-paragraph counter-affidavit sworn by EFCC official Abubakar Wara, calling the request a misuse of the court process.
Enyebili told the court that a similar application is already pending at the Federal High Court, which could result in conflicting decisions.
“The passport sought to be released is not before this court,” Enyebili said, arguing that the Federal High Court had earlier issued an order before this current case began, and that the FCT High Court should not interfere with a document it does not hold.
He also raised doubts about the medical documents provided, pointing out that the report was signed by a different doctor than the one who scheduled the appointment, and that it did not state the doctor’s qualifications. He dismissed the report as “a worthless paper.”
Enyebili further questioned the need for foreign treatment, suggesting Bello could use the well-equipped Reference Hospital in Kogi State, which was commissioned during his administration to curb overseas medical trips.
He noted that the trial includes international elements such as money laundering, and warned that letting Bello leave the country could affect the ongoing case.
Enyebili also pointed out that Bello had once been placed on an Interpol watchlist, though the defence argued that this happened before he appeared in court and is no longer active.
In response, Daudu maintained that the defence followed all bail terms, kept the sureties informed, and that both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court are allowed to hear such applications independently.
