Yahaya Bello Passport Court Ruling: FCT Court Declines Release
Yahaya Bello passport court ruling has clarified that the international passport of the former Kogi State Governor is not held by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The court made this statement on Thursday in response to an application filed by Bello, who sought the temporary release of his travel documents to undergo medical treatment abroad.
At a previous sitting, Bello’s lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued the application based on 13 legal grounds. He referenced a December 2024 ruling where the court stated that the defendant could request travel through a formal application. Daudu emphasized that the ruling did not prohibit international travel or impose any restrictive conditions.
He presented a Certified True Copy of the initial bail ruling, labeled Exhibit C, and said the application aligned with the court’s earlier position. Daudu added that Bello had consistently appeared in court, posed no flight risk, and had notified his sureties of his intention to travel.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the motion, submitting a 45-paragraph counter-affidavit. The Commission described the request as an abuse of court process, noting that Bello had filed a similar application before the Federal High Court, which is still pending.
The EFCC raised concerns about conflicting rulings from different courts and maintained that the passport in question is currently held by the Federal High Court, not the FCT High Court. “The passport sought to be released is not before this court,” the EFCC argued, urging Justice Maryanne Anenih not to issue an ineffective order.
During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Anenih ruled that although the application would have been considered, it was futile since the FCT High Court does not have possession of the passport. “A review of court records shows that the passport was deposited with the Federal High Court,” she stated.
The judge further explained that a court cannot issue orders on items it doesn’t possess. “The passport cannot be in the custody of two courts simultaneously. Since the defendant admitted in an affidavit that the passport is with the Federal High Court, this court cannot make any enforceable order regarding it,” she added.
This development in the Yahaya Bello passport court ruling stems from the former governor’s ongoing trial for alleged misappropriation of N110.4 billion in Kogi State funds during his tenure. Bello also faces a separate N80.2 billion fraud charge before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to October 8 and 9, and November 13, 2025, for continued hearing in the money laundering suit.
