Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello has hit another legal roadblock. A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied his request to travel overseas for medical treatment, citing concerns over the legitimacy of his supporting documents.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed Bello’s application after noting that the medical report submitted was not signed by a doctor—an omission the court considered critical.
Bello, who is currently facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion, had sought permission to leave the country for treatment in the United Kingdom. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate Joseph Daudu, argued that the former governor was referred by a cardiologist and hasn’t traveled outside Nigeria during his entire eight-year tenure.
Daudu submitted medical reports and emphasized that Bello was committed to returning for his ongoing trial, promising to travel only within the court’s vacation period. But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wasn’t buying it.
EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the request, calling it an abuse of court process. Pinheiro questioned the urgency and seriousness of Bello’s condition, noting that the alleged hypertension and low potassium levels could be adequately treated in Nigerian hospitals.
The EFCC also pointed out that Bello had made a similar application before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, where he faces separate but related charges.
While Justice Nwite acknowledged that applying to both courts wasn’t technically an abuse of process—since both courts operate at the same level—he ultimately found the medical documentation lacking. An unsigned medical report, he ruled, holds no legal weight and cannot justify releasing Bello’s passport.
“The defendant has failed to place sufficient material before this court for his passport to be released for him to travel,” the judge said.
The court also dismissed arguments that Bello should have informed his sureties about the travel plans, stating there’s no legal requirement for that in such applications.
With the travel request denied, Bello’s trial is set to continue on October 7 and 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025.
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