Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned ruling to July 17, 2025, in an application filed by former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, seeking the temporary release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Bello, who is facing prosecution over an alleged ₦110 billion fraud, is being tried by the Federal Government.
He is represented by counsel led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, while the prosecution team is led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, with Chukwudi Enyebili also appearing for the Federal Government.
In his motion dated June 19 and filed on June 20, Bello is requesting that the court grant an order for the release of his passport, which is currently deposited with the court registrar, as part of the bail conditions previously imposed on him.
The application is supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed by Bello himself, with attachments including a medical report and an appointment letter from his treating physician abroad.
Daudu argued that the request is based on 13 legal grounds, emphasising that the court had, in an earlier ruling in December 2024, stated that if the defendant needed to travel, he could approach the court by way of motion. He noted that the ruling did not expressly bar Bello from foreign travel, nor did it prescribe conditions under which he could travel.
He also cited a certified true copy of the court’s earlier bail ruling, admitted as Exhibit C, and submitted that the passport release was consistent with the court’s earlier position. Bello, he stressed, had always appeared in court, posed no flight risk, and his sureties were fully aware of his travel plans.
However, the prosecution strongly opposed the application. Enyebili, adopting the prosecution’s 45-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by Abubakar Wara, stated that the application constitutes an abuse of the court process.
He pointed out that Bello had filed a similar application before the Federal High Court (FHC), which is also awaiting ruling later this month.
The prosecution argued that asking two courts for the same relief simultaneously undermines judicial integrity and could lead to conflicting rulings.
“The passport sought to be released is not before this court,” Enyebili contended, adding that the Federal High Court’s order predates the one in the present case.
He urged the court to refuse to make any order concerning a document not in its custody.
Enyebili also questioned the authenticity and credibility of the medical documents provided, claiming the medical report was signed by a different doctor than the one who issued the appointment, and no qualifications of the signing physician were provided. He dismissed it as “a worthless paper.”
On the issue of healthcare alternatives, the prosecution argued that Bello should be treated in Kogi State, where he reportedly commissioned an ultra-modern Reference Hospital intended to curb medical tourism.
Highlighting the international dimension of the case—including money laundering charges—the prosecution warned that allowing Bello to leave the country may jeopardise the trial.
He noted that Interpol had once placed Bello on a watchlist, though the defence insisted this step was taken before he appeared in court and is no longer active.
Daudu responded that the defence has not breached any bail condition, that the sureties are already informed, and that courts of coordinate jurisdiction—FHC and FCT High Court—can each decide on such applications independently without legal contradiction.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to July 17 for ruling.
Bello is standing trial alongside others over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to 110 billion during his tenure as governor of Kogi State.
