The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has clarified that it does not possess the international passport of Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State governor, stating that the document is currently held by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Maryann Anenih made the declaration on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering charges filed against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello had approached the court with an application seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, the court ruled that it could not consider the request since the passport was not in its custody.
Justice Anenih stated:
“Even if the request to retrieve the international passport were to be granted, it would be of no effect since the passport was not in the custody of the FCT High Court but with the Federal High Court, before Justice Emeka Nwite.”
The former governor is currently facing similar corruption charges in both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello’s counsel, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), acknowledged during proceedings that the passport had been deposited with the Federal High Court in line with a previous bail condition.
“The simple logic is that the passport cannot be with two different courts at the same time,” Justice Anenih ruled. “Since the defendant admits that the passport was deposited with the Federal High Court, there is no reason making any order here in regard to this application. Courts don’t make orders in vain.”
Following the ruling, the court adjourned further proceedings in the case to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025.
The defendant’s application, dated June 19 and filed on June 20, sought an order for the release of his international passport to seek medical treatment abroad. However, the EFCC opposed the request through a counter-affidavit, warning that granting it could stall ongoing trial proceedings.
