The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on Thursday provided a detailed explanation as to why it declined to order the release of the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello
Bello had sought to retrieve his travel documents to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
In her ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih clarified that the request could not be granted because the court does not have custody of the ex-governor’s passport. She explained that the travel document was submitted to the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where Bello is concurrently standing trial on separate charges.
Justice Anenih further stated that even if her court approved the request, it would be ineffective since the passport is held by another court. Accordingly, she adjourned the matter to continue hearings on October 8, October 9, and November 13, 2025.
Bello, who served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing a 16-count charge of money laundering instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His legal team, led by senior advocate Prof. Joseph Daudu (SAN), had pleaded with the court to permit him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention following a recommendation from his cardiologist. The defence assured the court of Bello’s commitment to return to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial.
However, the EFCC vehemently opposed the application, arguing that Bello constitutes a significant flight risk. In its counter-affidavit, the Commission contended that the defendant’s request amounted to an abuse of court process because a similar application was already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello faces a separate set of charges.
The EFCC accused Bello of attempting to manipulate the judiciary by presenting identical applications before two courts of coordinate jurisdiction, potentially putting them on a collision path. “If the Federal High Court denies the application and your lordship grants it, it would ridicule the integrity of the judicial system,” the EFCC submitted.
Further, the prosecution, represented by Mr. Chukwudi Enebele (SAN), argued that Bello failed to serve his sureties with copies of the application, which would have enabled them to decide if they were still willing to guarantee his bail in the event he absconds.
The EFCC also revealed that Bello had previously been placed on Interpol’s red notice, making him liable to arrest the moment he leaves the country.
The charges against Bello, registered as CR/7781, accuse him and two co-defendants—Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, both officials of the Kogi State Government—of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the unlawful acquisition of property. The EFCC alleged that Bello illicitly acquired properties valued at billions of naira, including:
No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja — ₦950 million
No. 1160, Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja — ₦100 million
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja — ₦920 million
Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja — ₦170 million
A Hotel Apartment Community in Burj Khalifa, Dubai — AED 5,698,888
Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja — ₦60 million
No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja — ₦310.4 million
Additionally, the EFCC accused Bello and his associates of illegally transferring substantial sums abroad, including $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States. They also allegedly possessed ₦677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
In December 2024, the court remanded Bello to Kuje Prison, while his co-defendants were granted bail. Meanwhile, IREPORT247NEWS reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted as evidence seven sets of bank statements related to the Kogi State Government House Administration during Bello’s tenure.
During the resumed hearing, Mshelia Bata, a compliance officer from Zenith Bank and the fourth prosecution witness, presented computer-generated bank statements backed by certificates of identification as required by law.
She was led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). Although Bello’s lawyer, Prof. Daudu, raised objections and reserved further arguments, the court admitted the documents as exhibits.
Bata, in her testimony, explained banking policies before the adoption of Nigeria’s cashless policy. She stated that government withdrawals were capped at ₦10 million per transaction. She cited, as an example, nine withdrawals of ₦10 million each made on May 23, 2016, under the name of Abdulsalami Hudu, aligning with the permissible limits.
She also noted a cumulative credit inflow of approximately ₦1.092 billion recorded on January 30, 2018, and revealed that total withdrawals amounted to ₦1.968 billion between May 2 and May 19, 2018. These financial activities were central to the EFCC’s allegations of misappropriation.
During proceedings, friction emerged between the prosecution and defence teams regarding the political implications of the trial. While Pinheiro argued that the case had political undertones due to Bello’s former status as governor and ex-presidential aspirant, Daudu countered that the matter purely concerns allegations of financial crimes.
After Bata’s examination, Daudu requested more time to analyze the presented documents before commencing cross-examination, leading the court to adjourn further proceedings to the following day.
Separately, the court addressed an application by EFCC counsel Olukayode Enitan (SAN) involving Nicholas Ojehomon, the EFCC’s third witness and an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja.
Enitan sought to cross-examine Ojehomon based on Exhibit 19, a prior FCT High Court judgment. However, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the prosecution could not cross-examine its own witness unless the witness was declared hostile, allowing only limited re-examination instead.
Ojehomon, in his testimony, affirmed that there was no record of any funds transferred from Kogi State to the school and emphasized that no court had declared any such funds as proceeds of crime. Upon the conclusion of his brief re-examination, Ojehomon was formally discharged by the court.