The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s application seeking the release of his international passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling in the ongoing money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the former governor.
While dismissing Bello’s request, Justice Nwite noted that the medical report submitted with the application was unsigned by its author, rendering it legally invalid. “Exhibit B, which was the medical report provided by a doctor, was not signed by its maker, and as such, lacked any legal efficacy,” the judge stated. “An unsigned document carries no weight in law and is considered worthless.”
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had argued that his client needed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention as a known hypertensive patient of 15 years. Daudu presented two exhibits (Exhibits A and B) as expert reports on Bello’s health status, urging the court to grant the request.
However, EFCC’s lead prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as an abuse of court process. Pinheiro noted the similarity with a pending application at the FCT High Court and argued the motion was technically incompetent as Bello’s sureties were not informed.
Justice Nwite rejected the EFCC’s abuse of process argument, stating: “It is not in dispute that the applicant is standing trial before this court and FCT High Court… Hence, this instant application does not amount to abuse of court process.” The judge also dismissed the sureties argument, noting the case was against Bello personally.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court for his passport to be released for him to travel. Consequently, this application is hereby refused,” Justice Nwite ruled before adjourning the case to October 7, 10, and November 10, 11 for trial continuation.
The ruling maintains the travel restrictions on Bello as he faces corruption charges, with the court emphasizing the need for properly documented evidence to support such requests.