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Court Blocks Bello’s UK Medical Trip Over N110bn Fraud

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Yahaya Bello

Abuja, July 17, 2025 –Justice Maryanne Anineh of the FCT High Court rejected Yahaya Bello’s request to retrieve his passport for UK medical treatment.

The former Kogi governor faces N110.4 billion money laundering charges alongside two co-defendants.

Meanwhile, the EFCC prosecuting the case opposed Bello’s June 19 application through his counsel J.B. Daudu.

Prosecution lawyer Chukwudi Enebeli argued the motion violated existing bail terms requiring passport surrender.

Furthermore, Enebeli noted Bello failed to notify his sureties about the travel request.

The prosecution maintained the defendant might flee if permitted abroad, jeopardizing the high-profile case.

Previously, the court had seized Bello’s passport to ensure trial attendance.

Justice Anineh ruled the medical request didn’t outweigh flight risks given the charges’ severity.

The case continues as Nigeria’s anti-graft agency pursues what could become a landmark corruption prosecution.

Observers await Bello’s next legal move following this setback.

Additionally, the prosecution pointed out an abuse of court process by Bello.

They noted he had filed a similar application in another court, which was still pending.

Enebeli emphasized that seeking simultaneous orders from multiple courts risked conflicting rulings.

He argued that the proper course was for the defendant to retrieve his passport from the other court and then request a travel permit here.

This approach would avoid jurisdictional conflicts and ensure proper legal procedure.

During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Jami’u Agburo informed Justice Anineh that the court would soon issue a ruling.

He emphasized that the prosecution was fully prepared and ready to proceed with the case without any delays.

See also  Abuja: Yahaya Bello arrives High court for trial

Consequently, the court considered this update as part of its review process, which contributed to its informed decision-making.

In her judgment, Justice Anineh dismissed Bello’s request solely on jurisdictional grounds.

She clarified that her court lacked the authority to grant the application because the passport was not in its custody.

Instead, the Federal High Court held jurisdiction over such matters, which she emphasized in her ruling.

Her decision adhered to proper legal protocol regarding the custody and handling of travel documents.

She explained that her review of court records indicated Bello was ordered to deposit his passport with the court’s registry.

Further inquiry revealed the passport was actually with the Federal High Court.

Additionally, Bello deposed in an affidavit that he had deposited his passport with the Federal High Court as part of a previously granted bail.

Therefore, the court lacked jurisdiction to issue the relief Bello sought.

She noted that issuing an order regarding a document not in her court’s possession would be futile.

Courts don’t make orders in vain and as such, this court will not make any order that will be in vain since the passport in issue is not with this court but the Federal High Court,” she concluded.

The trial was adjourned to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continuation.

The ruling marks another setback for Bello as he navigates legal challenges stemming from serious allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as governor.

The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in governance through diligent prosecution of high-profile cases such as this.

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Observers continue to monitor developments closely as the trial progresses.


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