Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has clarified that the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in her court’s custody but with the Federal High Court in Abuja
The clarification came on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case filed against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Anenih explained that her court could not entertain an application for the release of the passport since it does not have custody of the document.
“Even if the request to retrieve the travel passport were to be granted, it would be of no effect since the passport was not in the custody of the court but before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court,” she stated.
Bello is facing criminal charges in both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court. His legal team, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), had applied for the release of his passport on health grounds to enable him to seek treatment abroad.
Daudu confirmed in court that the passport being requested is not held by the FCT High Court. Although the court had previously ordered Bello to deposit his travel documents with the registry, the defence said the passport had already been submitted to the Federal High Court in compliance with an earlier order.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the matter to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continued hearing.
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