A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the medical report submitted in support of the application was unsigned by the attending physician, thereby lacking legal validity. The court described the report as “worthless” and ruled that Bello had failed to present sufficient grounds for the release of his passport.
Bello, who is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion, had sought leave of the court to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment on the recommendation of a cardiologist.
His counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that the former governor had not travelled out of the country during his eight years in office. He submitted that the application, dated June 20, included exhibits labelled “A” and “B,” detailing expert opinions on Bello’s medical condition. Daudu assured the court that Bello would return within the court’s vacation period to face trial.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the case, opposed the application. EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) argued that the medical conditions cited, hypertension and hypercalcemia, were not shown to be life-threatening and could be treated in Nigeria’s well-equipped hospitals.
Pinheiro further noted that the former governor had made a similar application before an FCT High Court, where he is also facing criminal charges, and described the latest request as an abuse of court process.
Justice Nwite disagreed with this assertion, clarifying that the application did not constitute an abuse of court process, as both courts are of coordinate jurisdiction and the FCT High Court had expressly directed that any such request be brought before the appropriate court for leave.
“The FCT High Court, in its ruling, said that the applicant must seek the leave of the court. Hence, this instant application does not amount to abuse of court process,” the judge said.
The court also addressed the EFCC’s argument regarding sureties, stating that there is no legal requirement mandating the involvement or notification of a defendant’s surety in a travel application.
Nonetheless, the crux of the court’s decision rested on the credibility of the medical report presented. Justice Nwite emphasized that an unsigned report has no probative value under the law.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court for his passport to be released for him to travel. Consequently, this application is hereby refused,” the judge ruled.
The matter was adjourned to October 7 and 10, as well as November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.
