Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has clarified that the travel passport of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is not in the court’s custody but rather with the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The clarification came on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering charges brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello had submitted a request seeking the release of his travel passport on health grounds, but Justice Anenih ruled that her court could not entertain the application since the passport was not in its possession.
“Even if the request were granted, it would be of no effect since the passport is not in the custody of this court but before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court,” she ruled.
The defendant faces parallel charges at both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court, and had previously been ordered to deposit his travel documents with the court’s registry.
However, his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), confirmed that the passport in question is indeed with the Federal High Court and not before Justice Anenih’s court.
Following the ruling, the FCT High Court adjourned the matter to October 8, 9, and November 13, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
