Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has clarified that the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in the court’s custody but with the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The clarification emerged on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor.
Justice Anenih made the statement while responding to an application by Bello’s legal team requesting the release of his passport to enable him travel for medical reasons. The judge explained that the court had no power to grant such a request since the document was not in its possession.
“Even if the court were inclined to consider the application, it would be of no effect because the passport is not in our custody but before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court,” she stated.
The EFCC is currently prosecuting the former governor in two separate courts – the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court – on allegations of money laundering and corruption during his tenure as Kogi State governor.
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), confirmed that the passport was deposited with the registry of the Federal High Court as part of bail conditions in the other case. In the application before Justice Anenih, Bello had sought temporary release of his travel documents to seek urgent medical treatment abroad.
The defence team acknowledged that the documents were already lodged with another court, which reinforced the judge’s decision to decline the application.
Following the ruling on the passport application, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to October 8, 9 and November 13, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
The former governor continues to face scrutiny from anti-graft agencies over alleged financial misappropriation while in office. The dual prosecution in separate courts reflects the extent of the allegations against Bello, with the EFCC pursuing multiple charges related to his administration of Kogi State.
