A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has denied former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s request to travel abroad for medical treatment, citing the lack of a valid medical report.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter on Monday, ruled that the unsigned medical document tendered by Bello’s legal team held no legal value and could not be relied upon to grant such a request.
Bello, who is facing multiple charges of money laundering involving N80.2 billion, had asked the court to release his international passport so he could seek medical care in the United Kingdom.
His counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the former governor has battled hypertension for over 15 years and needed urgent treatment. However, Justice Nwite ruled that Exhibit B the primary document supporting the request was inadmissible because it was not signed.
“A document not signed by its maker has no probative value. It is legally worthless,” the judge said.
Justice Nwite also rejected the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) argument that the application was an abuse of court process, stating that the application was properly filed and aligned with a previous directive by a sister court.
The judge emphasized that while Bello had the right to seek medical attention, the court could only grant such a request based on credible and admissible evidence.
“In the absence of a valid medical report, there is no legal basis to release the defendant’s passport. This application is therefore refused,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The case was adjourned to October 7 and 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.
