Again, Court denies Yahaya Bello request for overseas medical trip

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, 21 July 2025, refused an application by former Kogi State governor Yahaya Adoza Bello seeking the release of his international passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Bello is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19 counts of alleged money laundering totalling ₦80,246,470,088.88.

Justice Nwite held that Bello failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that his medical condition could not be managed in Nigeria. He noted that the medical report from the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Okene, was signed by a doctor who did not personally examine Bello and did not specify the qualifications of the consultant who did. The judge also found that the outpatient appointment letter from a London-based clinic was unsigned, rendering it legally invalid.

The court further observed that Bello sought permission to travel abroad for treatment of hypertension without proving any deterioration in his condition that warranted overseas care.

At an earlier hearing on 27 June 2025, Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, had requested the temporary release of his client’s passport, insisting that Bello posed no flight risk and had no criminal record abroad. He argued that the application was brought under Section 173(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the court’s inherent jurisdiction, supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit sworn by Bello and annexed with a medical report and invitation letter from a UK cardiologist.

However, prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the request, describing it as an abuse of court process. He pointed out that Bello had previously filed similar applications before the FCT High Court.

Pinheiro further argued that the charges against Bello were international in nature, involving alleged property acquisitions in Dubai and funds in foreign bank accounts, and noted that the defendant was already on a red notice and risked arrest and extradition abroad.

Pinheiro also questioned the medical claims, stating that ailments such as low potassium levels and mild hypertension could be treated locally. He further remarked on the irony that Bello had championed the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital in Kogi State during his tenure. “From Abuja to Lokoja is a two-hour journey. He should make use of that hospital rather than embark on a six-hour flight,” he said.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite concluded that Bello had not met the threshold for the court to exercise its discretion. “The applicant has failed to present compelling grounds for the release of his international passport. Consequently, this application is refused,” he ruled.