The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declined the request by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to release his international passport, citing jurisdictional limitations.
At the resumed hearing of the money laundering case filed against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice Maryann Anenih ruled that the passport in question was not in the custody of her court but rather with the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
Justice Anenih explained that, under the circumstances, the FCT High Court could not entertain Bello’s request.
“The court would have considered the application for release of the defendant’s travel document if it were to be in its custody,” she stated.
The judge further clarified that even if the request had been granted, it would have no effect since the passport is with another court.
“Even if the request to retrieve the document were to be granted, it would be of no effect since the passport was not in the custody of the FCT High Court but with the Federal High Court,” she said.
Yahaya Bello, who faces separate charges at both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja, had filed the application requesting the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
His lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had earlier noted that the passport was no longer in the FCT court’s possession.
“A review of the court’s record revealed that the applicant had previously been ordered to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the registry of the court,” Daudu said.
Justice Anenih affirmed this position, adding:
“However, upon further enquiry and search conducted by the court, it was discovered that the said international passport was not presently in the custody of the court’s registry but with the Federal High Court.”
Following the ruling, the judge adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continued hearing.
