The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a fresh application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, came during the ongoing hearing of a high-profile money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor.
Court Rejects Medical Report as “Worthless”
Justice Emeka Nwite, while reading the court’s decision, pointed to a key flaw in Bello’s application — the medical report attached (Exhibit B) was not signed by its author. This, the judge emphasized, rendered the document legally invalid.
“An unsigned document carries no weight in law. It lacks probative value and is worthless before this Court,” the judge firmly stated.
Application Not an Abuse of Process — But Still Fails
Though the EFCC had argued that Bello’s request amounted to an abuse of court process, the judge disagreed, saying the application was procedurally sound. Justice Nwite noted that both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court — where Bello is facing related charges — are courts of coordinate jurisdiction, and that the former governor was within his rights to seek permission.
However, the judge clarified that the actual problem wasn’t legal strategy but rather the lack of credible documentation backing the health claim.
“No Valid Reason to Release Passport”
Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had told the court that the ex-governor has been battling hypertension for 15 years and needed urgent medical attention in the UK. But despite presenting two exhibits meant to support the health claim, one of them — Exhibit B — fell flat due to its missing signature.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this Court to justify releasing his passport,”Justice Nwite ruled.
“Consequently, the application is hereby refused.”
EFCC’s Arguments Dismissed on Technical Grounds
The EFCC had also argued that Bello’s sureties — who guaranteed his bail — were not notified of the passport request, rendering the application technically incompetent. But the court disagreed, stating that sureties are not parties to such motions unless the law expressly says so.
“The counsel to the complainant did not cite any law, local or international, requiring that sureties be served or joined,” the judge noted.
What’s Next?
With the passport release request denied, the trial continues. The court has adjourned the case to:
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October 7 & 10, and
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November 10 & 11, 2025
for continuation of hearings.
As Bello remains under legal scrutiny, this decision signals that the court will not compromise on procedural integrity, especially in high-stakes corruption trials.
