Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, July 21, 2025, denied a request by former Kogi State governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for the temporary release of his passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Bello is currently facing trial alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, as well as Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, on a 19-count charge of money laundering totaling N80,246,470,088.88, brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge dismissed the application on the grounds that Bello failed to provide sufficient evidence that his medical condition could not be managed within Nigeria. Justice Nwite noted that the medical report presented was authored by a doctor who did not examine the defendant and did not indicate their medical specialty. Furthermore, the letter of appointment from the UK consultant was unsigned, rendering it legally invalid.
At a previous hearing on June 27, Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, urged the court to allow his client to travel abroad, citing no criminal record and assuring the court that Bello would return by the end of August. The application was supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Bello, accompanied by a medical report from the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Okene, and an unsigned invitation letter from a UK-based cardiologist.
However, EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, calling it an abuse of court process. He pointed out that Bello had made a similar application before the FCT High Court and accused the defense of attempting to confuse the judicial process. Pinheiro also emphasized that Bello was already under international red alert and could be arrested or extradited abroad due to related investigations in Dubai, the U.S., and the U.K.
He further argued that the alleged health issues—low potassium and mild hypertension—could be effectively managed in Nigeria. Pinheiro questioned the credibility of the medical report, noting that it lacked professional detail, and referenced Bello’s prior claims of building a modern hospital in Kogi State, suggesting he seek treatment there.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite concluded:
“The defendant seeks a temporary release of his passport to obtain a UK visa for medical treatment. Exhibits A and B submitted—a medical report and an outpatient appointment—do not satisfy legal standards. Exhibit A was signed by someone who didn’t examine the defendant and whose qualifications are unclear. Exhibit B is unsigned, and therefore worthless in the eyes of the law. No evidence has been provided to show that the condition—hypertension—cannot be managed by medical facilities in Nigeria.”
“The court cannot exercise its discretion in favor of an application that lacks compelling justification. Accordingly, the request for the release of the defendant’s passport is refused.”
