A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has said the international passport of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.
Justice Maryanne Anenih said this while ruling yesterday on an application the ex-governor filed in which he sought the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad on medical grounds.
Justice Anenih held that the court would have considered the application for the release of Bello’s passport if it were to be in its custody.
The judge added that even if the request to retrieve the passport was granted, it would be of no effect since the travel document was not in the custody of the High Court of the FCT but with the Federal High Court.
Bello is being prosecuted by the High Court of the FCT by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with Umar Oricha (Director General, Kogi State Government House) and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge.
The EFCC is, in the charge, alleging criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion.
Bello is also being prosecuted by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a separate charge of alleged money laundering.
The former Kogi State governor had submitted his passport as part of the conditions attached to the bail granted him by both courts.
Justice Anenih said a review of the court’s record revealed that the applicant had previously been ordered to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the Registry of the court.
But upon further enquiry and a search conducted by the court, it was discovered that Bello’s international passport was not in the custody of the court’s Registry but with the Federal High Court.
Justice Anenih adjourned further hearing in the case till October 8.
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