A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel overseas for medical care.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that the medical report attached to Bello’s application was invalid, as it was not signed by the issuing doctor.
Bello is currently facing a 19-count charge involving alleged money laundering totaling ₦80.2 billion.
Presenting the application dated June 20, Bello’s legal counsel, Joseph Daudu, informed the court that a cardiologist had referred the former governor to a hospital in the United Kingdom (UK). Daudu also noted that Bello did not travel abroad at any point during his eight-year tenure as governor.
He submitted exhibits “A” and “B,” which were expert medical reports detailing the defendant’s health status. Bello, through his counsel, assured the court he would travel only during the court’s vacation period and return in time for his trial.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) objected to the request, labeling it an abuse of court process.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro argued that while Bello cited hypertension and hypercalcemia (low potassium), there was no evidence that these conditions were life-threatening. Pinheiro further maintained that adequate medical facilities were available in Nigeria to treat such ailments.
He also criticized the request, pointing out that Bello had filed a similar application at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, where he is also facing trial.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, disagreed with the EFCC on that point.
“It is not in dispute that the applicant is standing trial before this court and the FCT court. And it is not in dispute that the applicant was granted bail in this court on December 13, 2024 and at the FCT high court on December 19, 2024,” the judge said.
“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.
“It is also the fact that this court and the FCT high court are courts of coordinate jurisdiction.”
Addressing the argument about surety involvement, the judge ruled that notifying sureties was not a legal requirement.
“The counsel to the complainant did not cite any section of the law that says sureties should be given notice or made a party in the motion on notice,” the judge said.
“The counsel did not cite any law, whether locally or internationally, to back his argument.”
However, Justice Nwite criticized the validity of the submitted medical report.
“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,” Nwite ruled.
The matter was adjourned to October 7 and 10, as well as November 10 and 11, 2025, for the continuation of trial.