Court To Rule July 17 On Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request For Medical Treatment

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has fixed July 17, 2025, for ruling on an application by the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical attention.

Naijaonpoint reports that at the resumed hearing, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), informed the court that his client had filed a motion requesting the release of his international passport to enable him to seek urgent medical care overseas.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Chukwudi Enebele (SAN), filed a counter-affidavit opposing the request. The anti-graft agency argued that allowing Bello to travel could delay proceedings in the corruption case against him.

Responding, Daudu informed the court that his client had filed a 20-paragraph further affidavit on July 7, 2025, which was personally deposed to by the former governor.

He also presented two exhibits to support the application, a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s ruling granting bail to the defendant, and another CTC of a Federal High Court’s ruling also admitting him to bail.

“We adopt these documents in urging your lordship to grant our application,” Daudu submitted.

On EFCC’s argument that Bello’s application was an abuse of court process, since a similar motion had already been filed at the Federal High Court, Daudu disagreed. He insisted that the applications were necessary because the EFCC had filed charges in both courts.

“It would be a futile exercise to apply in one court and not in the other,” Daudu stated, defending the strategy as legally sound.

EFCC’s counsel Enebele also contended that Bello should have formally notified his sureties of his intention to travel abroad, arguing they must have the opportunity to decide whether to continue standing as sureties.

He further warned that the dual filing of similar applications in different courts could create a judicial conflict.

But Daudu countered, saying, “The sureties are already aware.” He also dismissed the issue of INTERPOL red alerts against his client, calling it “a dead argument.”

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to July 17 for a ruling on whether or not Bello’s international passport should be released to enable him to travel for medical care.