Yahaya Bello’s Int’l Passport Is With FHC, Not With Us – FCT High Court Rules

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja said, on Thursday that, the International Passport of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, was not in its custody but in the custody of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

At the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor, the trial Judge, Justice Maryann Anenih held that the court would have considered the application for the release of the defendant’s travel document if it were to be in its custody.

The Judge said, even if the request to retrieve the International Passport 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, presided by Justice Emeka Nwite.

The former governor is facing similar charges at both the FCT and Federal High Courts, Abuja.

He had filed an application, requesting for the release of his International Passport to enable him travel out of the country for medical attention.

Justice Anenih held that, “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.

“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.

“The defendant even deposed to an affidavit himself, stating that his passport had been deposited with the Federal High Court in a bail earlier granted him.

“The simple logic is that, the passport cannot be with two different courts at the same time. Since the defendant admitted depositing same with the Federal High Court, there is no reason making any order here in regards to the application.

“Courts don’t make order in vain and as such, this Court will not make any order that will be in vain since the passport in issue is not with this court but the Federal High Court”, the Judge added.

The defendant, in his application, had also indicated that his travel documents were with the Federal High Court.

Justice Anenih, after the ruling, adjourned the case till October 8, 9 and November 13, 2025, for continuation of hearing.

It would be recalled that, the court had, on July 8, adjourned ruling on the defendant’s application for the release of his travel documents till Thursday, July 17.