Court Refuses Yahaya Bello’s Request to Travel Abroad, Cites Unsigned Medical Report
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the application of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the medical report tendered by Bello to support his request was unsigned and therefore lacked any legal weight.
Bello, who is currently standing trial for alleged money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had applied to the court for permission to travel, citing long-standing health issues. His counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that Bello had been battling hypertension for 15 years and presented Exhibits A and B — including an expert’s medical report — to substantiate the claim.
However, in his ruling, Justice Nwite noted that Exhibit B, the crucial medical report, was not signed by its author and, as such, held no probative value before the court.
“An unsigned document carries no weight in law and is considered worthless,” Justice Nwite ruled.
“Exhibit B is devoid of probative value and cannot be relied upon by this court.”
Contrary to the EFCC’s argument that Bello’s application amounted to an abuse of court process, Justice Nwite held that the request was properly brought before the court, noting that there was no legal requirement for Bello’s sureties to be informed or joined in the application.
The court clarified that the case remained between Yahaya Bello and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not between the defendant and his sureties. The judge further emphasised that no statutory or legal authority cited by the prosecution supported the claim that the sureties ought to be part of the application process.
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On the matter of alleged abuse of court process, Justice Nwite observed that although Bello faces concurrent trials before both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court, both courts are of coordinate jurisdiction. Therefore, applying for leave to travel did not amount to abuse of process.
However, the lack of a properly authenticated medical report ultimately doomed Bello’s application.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court for his passport to be released for travel,” the judge said.
The court subsequently refused the application and adjourned further hearings in the case to October 7, 10, and November 10, 11, 2025 for the continuation of the trial.