FCT court: Yahaya Bello's passport is not in our possession.

On Thursday, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory made it clear that it does not possess the international passport of Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State.

This clarification came after Bello submitted a request for the temporary release of his passport, as he plans to travel abroad for medical treatment.

During a previous court session, J.B. Daudu (SAN), representing Bello, argued the case for releasing the travel documents on 13 different legal points.

He pointed out that a ruling from December 2024 had allowed the defendant to approach the court for permission to travel.

Daudu stressed that the ruling did not ban international travel, nor did it set any particular conditions for it.

He also referenced a certified copy of an earlier bail decision from the court, which was accepted as Exhibit C, claiming that the current request was consistent with the court's previous stance.

He asserted that Bello had shown up for all court dates, represented no flight risk, and had properly notified his sureties about his travel plans.

In response, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the request through a detailed 45-paragraph counter-affidavit.

The EFCC called the application an abuse of the court’s process, highlighting that Bello had made a similar request at the Federal High Court, which is still pending a decision.

They argued that seeking the same remedy in two courts at once could lead to conflicting rulings and damage judicial integrity.

"The passport in question is not within this court’s reach," the prosecution stated.

They advised that since the Federal High Court had already issued an order on this matter, the FCT High Court should refrain from making any decisions regarding a document it does not have.

Bello, along with two others, is currently undergoing trial for allegedly misusing Kogi State funds totaling N110.4 billion during his governorship.

He is currently facing trial in another case related to alleged fraud of N80.2 billion in front of Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court located in Abuja.

During the latest hearing of the money laundering case brought by the EFCC, Justice Maryanne Anenih stated that the court would have considered a request to release the defendant’s travel documents if they were in its possession.

However, the court pointed out that the passport is currently held by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Anenih clarified that even if the court approved the request, it wouldn't matter since the passport does not belong to the FCT High Court but to the Federal High Court overseen by Justice Nwite.

“Looking over the court’s records, it became clear that the applicant had earlier been instructed to submit his international passport along with other travel documents to the court’s registry.

“Further investigation by the court revealed that the international passport is not with the court’s registry at this time but rather with the Federal High Court,” Justice Anenih explained.

She continued, “The defendant also provided an affidavit confirming that his passport was given to the Federal High Court due to a bail he was granted.

“The basic truth is that a passport cannot belong to two different courts at once. Since the defendant has acknowledged placing it with the Federal High Court, there is no reason for this court to issue any orders regarding it.

“Courts do not make pointless orders. Hence, this court will not issue an order that will be ineffective, since the passport is not with this court; it is with the Federal High Court.”

Bello also recognized in his application that the travel documents are with the Federal High Court.

In addition, Daudu had earlier confirmed that the international passport in question is not in the custody of the FCT High Court.

After delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih scheduled the case to continue on October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025.