The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to release his international passport for overseas medical treatment, citing an unsigned medical report as the basis for rejection.
Bello, currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had asked the court to permit him to travel to the United Kingdom for health reasons.
However, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled on Monday that the unsigned medical document presented as evidence rendered the application invalid.
In support of his request, Bello’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu, submitted two documents detailing the former governor’s long-standing health condition, including hypertension.
But the court ruled that one of the key documents Exhibit B was not signed by a medical professional, thus holding no legal value.
“The defendant has not provided sufficient material to justify the release of his passport. An unsigned document holds no probative value in court,” Justice Nwite stated while refusing the application.
The EFCC opposed the request, arguing it was an abuse of court process, especially as Bello had also submitted a similar application to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, where he faces related charges.
That court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, had declined to hear the request, noting that Bello’s passport was in the custody of the Federal High Court, not hers.
Justice Nwite, however, disagreed with the EFCC’s claim of abuse of process, affirming that seeking the court’s leave to travel, even while on trial in two courts of coordinate jurisdiction, was within the defendant’s rights.
He also noted that the EFCC failed to back its claim that Bello’s sureties should have been notified of the application with any legal authority.
Nonetheless, the court concluded that without a properly signed medical report, there were no sufficient grounds to justify the passport’s release.
The matter was adjourned to October 7, 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.