Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request, Says It Doesn’t Have His Passport

A high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) in Maitama, has rejected former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s request to travel abroad for medical treatment.

During the hearing on Thursday, the judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, explained that the court couldn’t consider Bello’s application because his passport wasn’t submitted to the court.

Bello had asked for the release of his passport to enable him to travel, but the judge noted that since the document is not in the court’s possession, she can’t act on the request.

Yahaya Bello’s legal team, led by senior lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN), filed the application on June 20.

It was discussed during the court’s last sitting on July 8, but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting Bello over alleged corruption, opposed the request.

The EFCC argued that allowing Yahaya Bello to travel abroad could delay the ongoing trial.

The agency also pointed out that a similar request had already been made before the Federal High Court in Abuja, making this one unnecessary.

Daudu responded by saying the two applications were for different cases and therefore valid.

Despite the arguments, the judge ruled that the court couldn’t grant the request since the passport was not with it but with the Federal High Court.

Justice Maryann Anenih then adjourned the case to October 8 and 9, and November 13, 2025, for further hearings.

KanyiDaily recalls that Yahaya Bello is currently facing a 16-count charge involving over ₦110 billion in alleged misappropriation of public funds.