Yahaya Bello’s Passport Not With Us, Says FCT High Court

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has declared that the travel passport of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not under its jurisdiction, but rather held by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

During the resumed hearing on Thursday of the purported money laundering case brought forth by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the ex-governor, Justice Anenih elucidated this fact.

She remarked that the court would have entertained the application for the release of the defendant’s travel document had it been within its jurisdiction.

The judge noted that even if the petition to reclaim the travel passport were approved, it would serve no purpose, as the passport is not held by this court but is under the purview of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.

The former governor is facing analogous charges in both the FCT and Federal High Courts in Abuja.

He had petitioned for the return of his passport to facilitate travel abroad due to health reasons.

His legal representative, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had previously asserted that the requested travel passport was not under the court’s jurisdiction.

The applicant had been instructed earlier to surrender his travel passport and other travel documents to the court’s registry.

In his application, the defendant also specified that his travel documents reside with the Federal High Court.

Following the verdict, Justice Anenih adjourned the proceedings to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for further hearings.