The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has clarified that it does not have custody of the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. According to the court, the passport is held by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During Thursday’s resumed hearing of the money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Bello, Justice Maryann Anenih stated that the court could not entertain the application for the release of the defendant’s travel documents because it did not have them.
She emphasized that even if the application were to be granted, it would have no effect since the passport is with the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
Bello is facing similar charges before both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja. He had filed an application requesting the release of his passport on medical grounds.
His counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, previously informed the court that the passport was not in the FCT High Court’s custody. A review of court records confirmed that the defendant had initially been directed to deposit his passport with the court registry. However, further checks revealed the passport is currently with the Federal High Court.
Justice Anenih noted that the defendant himself swore in an affidavit that his passport had been deposited with the Federal High Court as part of a bail condition granted earlier.
“It’s a matter of simple logic—one document cannot be held by two courts at the same time,” she said. “Since the defendant admits the passport is with the Federal High Court, there is no basis for this court to make any order regarding its release. Courts do not make orders in vain.”
The case was adjourned to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continued hearing. The court had earlier reserved ruling on the application for July 17, after adjourning on July 8.
Daudu had told the court the application, dated June 19 and filed June 20, sought the release of Bello’s passport by the registrar to allow him to seek medical treatment abroad. The application was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Bello.
The EFCC opposed the request in a counter-affidavit, arguing that granting it could delay proceedings.
