By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Thursday clarified that the travel passport of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is not in the court’s custody but remains with the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The clarification came during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor.
Justice Anenih stated that the FCT High Court would have considered Bello’s application for the release of his passport, but was constrained because the document was not under its control.
“Even if the request were to be granted, it would serve no purpose since the passport is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court,” she ruled.
The former governor is facing related charges before both the FCT and Federal High Courts and had requested the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.
His counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), acknowledged in court that the travel documents were not in the custody of the FCT High Court, despite a previous order for them to be deposited with the court’s registry.
Following the ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to October 8 and 9, and November 13, 2025, for further hearings.
