Justice Anineh Strikes Out Application for Passport Release for Bello's Medical Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application by Yahaya Adoza Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, seeking the release of his passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. Bello, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, had applied for the temporary release of his passport to attend a scheduled medical appointment in the UK. However, the prosecution counsel argued that the application was an attempt to alter the bail conditions imposed on the defendant and that the proper thing would have been for the defendant to retrieve his passport from the Federal High Court where it was initially deposited. The court ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to grant the application as the passport was not in its custody but with the Federal High Court.

Key Takeaways:

  • The application for the release of Bello's passport was dismissed by Justice Anineh due to lack of jurisdiction, as the passport was not in her court's custody.
  • The prosecution counsel argued that the defendant had previously deposited his passport with the Federal High Court and should have retrieved it before applying for its release.
  • The court ruled that granting the application would be an abuse of process and create conflicting orders.
  • Justice Anineh adjourned the case till October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continuation of trial.
  • The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering worth N110.4 billion.

Statistics:

  • N11 billion: The amount alleged to have been laundered by Bello's associates.
  • 16: The number of counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering brought against Bello and his co-defendants by the EFCC.
  • 110.4 billion Naira: The total amount alleged to have been laundered by Bello and his co-defendants.
  • 2: The number of courts, including the Federal High Court, where Bello's passport is currently deposited.
  • 3: The number of adjourned dates set by the court for the continuation of trial.

Sources:

  • [Court Ruling by Justice Anineh, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja]
  • [Prosecution Counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN]
  • [Defendant, Yahaya Adoza Bello]
  • [Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC]
  • [Federal High Court, Abuja]