Court Denies Yahaya Bello’s Travel Request, Says Medical Report ‘Worthless Without Signature’

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected an application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the medical report submitted in support of Bello’s request was not signed by its maker, rendering it legally ineffective.
“In other words, Exhibit B is devoid of probative value and cannot be relied upon by the court,” Justice Nwite ruled.
“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.”

The decision came during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, through his counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had requested the release of his travel documents to seek urgent medical attention in the United Kingdom. Daudu told the court that his client had been hypertensive for over 15 years and presented two documents—Exhibits A and B—as medical evidence to support the claim.

He argued that “sufficient materials had been placed before the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant.”

However, the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the motion, calling it an abuse of court process. Pinheiro contended that Bello’s request mirrored a similar application already filed before the FCT High Court and that it failed to meet procedural requirements, including informing the defendant’s sureties.

But Justice Nwite disagreed with the EFCC’s position, stating that the application was not an abuse of court process.
“It is not in dispute that the applicant is standing trial before this court and FCT High Court, and it is not in dispute that the applicant was granted bail in this court on Dec. 13, 2024, and at the FCT High Court on Dec. 19, 2024,” the judge said.

He added that since both courts are of coordinate jurisdiction and the FCT High Court had ruled that Bello must seek permission before travelling, the application before his court was appropriate.

On the issue of sureties, Justice Nwite held:
“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 counsel did not cite any law, whether locally or internationally, to back his argument.”

Nevertheless, the judge emphasized that the medical document at the heart of the application was unsigned and, therefore, legally void.
“An unsigned document carries no weight in law and is considered worthless,” he said.

The court adjourned the matter to October 7, October 10, November 10, and November 11 for continuation of trial.

VANGUARD