Passport Drama: Court Tells Yahaya Bello — "Your Passport Is Not With Us
Passport Drama: Court Tells Yahaya Bello — "Your Passport Is Not With Us"
A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, has declined a request by former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to release his international passport for a medical trip abroad, citing that the travel document is not in its custody.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over the matter, clarified on Thursday that the court could not act on the application because the passport was never submitted to her court but remains with the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello is also facing a separate corruption trial.
“The document sought is not before us. This court cannot give what it does not have,” Justice Anenih ruled, effectively rendering the application moot. The case was then adjourned to October 8 & 9, and November 13 for the continuation of trial proceedings.
Bello, who is battling a 16-count charge of money laundering levelled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had requested the release of his passport to travel to the United Kingdom for urgent medical care as recommended by a cardiologist.
His legal counsel, Professor Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the former governor was not seeking to evade justice, assuring the court of his commitment to return for trial.
However, the EFCC firmly opposed the application, calling it an abuse of court process. The agency revealed that Bello had filed a similar motion at the Federal High Court and accused him of trying to manipulate the judicial system by seeking conflicting rulings from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“If one court refuses and the other grants, it would make a mockery of the Nigerian judiciary,” EFCC counsel Chukwudi Enebele, SAN, warned.
The prosecution also faulted Bello for not notifying his sureties, arguing they have a right to decide if they’re willing to be held accountable should he flee.
The EFCC reminded the court that Bello had previously been placed on Interpol’s red list and could be arrested if he leaves the country.
A Web of Allegations
Bello, who served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2024, is accused of misappropriating over ₦110 billion during his tenure. He's being tried alongside two former government officials: Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Among the assets the EFCC alleges were acquired with misappropriated funds include:
₦950 million property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja
₦100 million property in Gwarinpa II District
₦920 million mansion at Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro
₦170 million Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4
Luxury apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai valued at AED 5.7 million
Additional properties worth hundreds of millions in Wuse
Wire transfers of $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the U.S.
N677.8 million traced to Bespoque Business Solution Limited
On December 10, 2024, the court ordered Bello to be remanded at Kuje Prison, while his co-defendants were granted bail. Bello himself was later granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on the former governor’s next move—and whether he’ll ever get the medical trip he claims to desperately need.
By Haruna Yakubu Haruna
