A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has refused to grant a travel request filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who sought permission to leave the country for medical treatment.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over the matter on Thursday, ruled that the court could not entertain the application since the international passport is not in its possession.
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had filed the motion on June 20, which was argued on July 8.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), currently prosecuting Bello for alleged corruption, opposed the application.
The agency argued that allowing the former governor to travel could disrupt the trial, noting that a similar request is already pending before Federal High Court in Abuja.
In response, Bello’s legal team said the two applications before different courts pertain to separate cases and do not constitute an abuse of court process.
However, the court maintained that without the passport in its custody, it lacked the authority to act on the request.
Following the decision, the court adjourned proceedings to October 8 and 9 and November 13, 2025.
Bello is facing a 16-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust totaling N110.4 billion.
EFCC alleges that the former Governor, along with two former officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha, used state funds to purchase properties in Abuja and Dubai.
Bello is also being tried separately at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 19 counts of alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion.
He has submitted a similar application in that matter, seeking leave to travel to the United Kingdom for medical reasons.
