Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has scheduled July 17, 2025, for ruling on an application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad on health grounds.
The application arose during the resumed hearing of a money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the hearing on Tuesday, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the application, dated June 19 and filed on June 20, 2025, requests the release of Bello’s international passport by the court’s Registrar to facilitate his medical trip.
Daudu explained that the application is supported by 22 paragraphs of affidavit sworn by Bello himself, outlining 13 grounds for the request. The EFCC, opposing the motion, filed a counter-affidavit warning that granting the application could delay the ongoing court proceedings.
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In response, Bello’s legal team submitted a further affidavit with 20 paragraphs, filed on July 7, including two key exhibits: a certified true copy of the ruling admitting Bello to bail from the current court, and a similar ruling from the Federal High Court.
Daudu argued that the application should not be considered an abuse of court process, as the charges against Bello were instituted separately in two courts by the complainant. He asserted that it was necessary to apply to both courts to avoid futile delays.
EFCC counsel Chukwudi Enebele, SAN, countered that Bello should have notified his sureties of the travel application to allow them to decide whether they wished to continue standing as sureties during his absence. Enebele also cautioned that the simultaneous applications in different courts risked conflicting rulings, which could undermine the judiciary’s credibility.
Daudu maintained that the sureties had already been informed and dismissed concerns regarding Interpol’s red alerts, stating that Bello has fully submitted to trial proceedings without violating any court orders.
Following the submissions, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter for ruling on July 17, 2025.
