Judgment Day Nears: Court To Decide Yahaya Bello’s Medical Travel Fate July 17

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has scheduled July 17, 2025, to deliver a ruling on a motion filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

At the resumed hearing, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that his client had applied for the release of his international passport to facilitate urgent overseas medical care.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Chukwudi Enebele (SAN), opposed the motion via a counter-affidavit. The agency argued that granting the request could hinder progress in the ongoing corruption trial against the ex-governor.

In response, Daudu disclosed that his client had, on July 7, 2025, filed a 20-paragraph further affidavit personally sworn by Bello himself. He also submitted two exhibits in support of the application: a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a court ruling granting Bello bail, and another CTC from the Federal High Court also admitting him to bail.

“We respectfully adopt these exhibits and urge Your Lordship to grant our request,” Daudu pleaded.

Reacting to the EFCC’s claim that Bello’s application constituted an abuse of court process due to a similar request pending before the Federal High Court, Daudu dismissed the argument, insisting the filings were necessary because the EFCC had initiated charges in both courts.

“It would be legally ineffective to apply in only one court when proceedings are ongoing in two,” he stated.

Enebele further argued that Bello ought to have formally informed his sureties of his intention to travel, allowing them the opportunity to reconsider their roles. He also warned that submitting similar applications in multiple courts could lead to judicial contradictions.

But Daudu countered that the sureties had already been notified and dismissed concerns about any INTERPOL red alert, calling it “an expired issue.”

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to July 17 for a ruling on whether the former governor’s passport should be released for his proposed medical trip.