Yayaha Bello’s passport not in our custody – FCT Court

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has clarified that the travel passport of the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in the custody of her court but with the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The judge made this statement on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Anenih stated that although the court would have considered Bello’s application for the release of his passport to seek medical attention abroad, it lacked jurisdiction over the document since it was not deposited in her court. She emphasized that any ruling in favour of the application would be ineffective as the passport is currently under the custody of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.

The former governor is standing trial on similar money laundering charges before both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, confirmed during the hearing that the travel document being requested was never deposited with the FCT High Court.

Bello had earlier been ordered to submit his travel documents to the court as part of his bail conditions, but the latest application clarified that the documents were filed with the Federal High Court.

The matter is part of an ongoing legal battle between the EFCC and Yahaya Bello, who is facing multiple charges linked to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor.