The Federal Capital Territory High Court declared on July 17, 2025, that it does not possess the international passport of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, amid his trial for alleged ₦80 billion fraud.
The ruling came during a bail variation hearing, where Bello’s counsel sought its release, claiming it was seized during his April 2024 arrest. The court clarified that the passport remains with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which arrested Bello on related charges.
The EFCC insists the passport is evidence, with Bello facing 19 counts including money laundering, while his team argues for travel rights to seek medical care abroad. The court’s stance has intensified legal debates, with Bello’s case adjourned to August 5, 2025.
Public reaction is divided, with supporters viewing it as judicial overreach, while anti-corruption advocates back the EFCC, noting Kogi’s 2023 audit revealing ₦20 billion in irregularities, keeping the passport issue a focal point in Nigeria’s graft fight.