A fraudulent case of ₦110.4bn involving Yahaya Bello awaits court ruling by July 17

A High Court in Abuja has postponed its decision on a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to temporarily release his international passport so he can travel abroad for medical treatment. The court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, scheduled the ruling for July 17, 2025, after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution.

Bello is currently standing trial alongside two others, facing allegations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving the alleged misappropriation of ₦110.4 billion during his time in office.

At the latest hearing, Bello’s legal team submitted a formal motion dated June 19 and filed on June 20, requesting the return of his passport, which is currently with the court registrar as part of his bail terms. The request is backed by a sworn affidavit from Bello and includes supporting documents such as a medical report and a letter from a foreign physician confirming an appointment.

Bello’s lawyer argued that the application was based on 13 legal grounds. He cited an earlier court ruling from December 2024, in which the judge stated that if Bello needed to travel, he could apply formally. According to the defence, the court did not ban foreign travel nor set specific restrictions, and the request is fully in line with the original bail terms.

The defence also highlighted that Bello has consistently attended court sessions, does not pose a flight risk, and has already informed his sureties about his travel plans.

However, the prosecution challenged the request, describing it as an abuse of court process. They pointed out that Bello had already made a similar application before the Federal High Court, which is still awaiting a decision, and warned that filing the same request in two different courts could lead to conflicting judgments.

The prosecution also argued that the passport is not currently in the custody of this particular court and that the existing order from the Federal High Court should take precedence. They raised concerns about the medical documents presented, questioning their validity and pointing out inconsistencies including the fact that the report was signed by a doctor different from the one who issued the appointment and that no medical qualifications were listed.

They further suggested that Bello could receive adequate treatment in Kogi State, where he had previously commissioned a modern medical facility aimed at reducing the need for medical travel abroad.

Given the international scope of the case, which includes money laundering charges, the prosecution warned that allowing him to travel could jeopardize the ongoing trial. They also reminded the court that Bello had once been placed on an Interpol watchlist, although the defence clarified that this happened before he voluntarily appeared in court and that the matter had since been resolved.

In response, Bello’s legal team insisted that all bail conditions had been respected and that courts of equal jurisdiction, such as the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court, have the authority to handle such matters independently.

After hearing all arguments, Justice Anenih adjourned the case, with a decision on the passport release expected on July 17.