Court Denies Yahaya Bello’s Passport Request Amidst Ongoing Corruption Trial

In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the request of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to retrieve his international passport for medical travel abroad. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, issued the ruling on Monday, July 21, 2025, citing critical procedural flaws in Bello’s application.

The former governor, currently facing serious charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion, claimed he needed to travel overseas for urgent medical treatment. However, the court found the supporting medical report (Exhibit B) attached to the request to be unsigned and therefore legally invalid. Justice Nwite emphasized that such a document carries no evidentiary weight in law and could not justify lifting the travel restrictions.

This marks the second time in one week that a Nigerian court has denied Bello’s request to travel. The FCT High Court had earlier refused a similar application on the grounds that Bello’s passport was not in the custody of the court.

Furthermore, the court dismissed arguments presented by Bello’s legal team suggesting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was abusing the legal process. The judge also clarified that the applicant was not obligated to notify his sureties before filing the motion, dismissing concerns raised by the prosecution.

With the passport denial, Yahaya Bello will remain in the country as the legal proceedings continue. The court has scheduled the next hearings of the trial for October 7 and 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025.

This development further intensifies the spotlight on Bello’s case, one of the most high-profile corruption trials in recent Nigerian history. Many observers believe the court's decision reinforces the seriousness of the charges and the judiciary's resolve to prevent flight risk in such cases.