Court says Yahaya Bello’s passport not in its possession

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court said on Thursday that the international passport of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was not in its custody.

The judge stated this at the resumed hearing of the ex-governor’s trial for alleged fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Bello for alleged N110 billion fraud.

The ex-governor was arraigned alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge of fraud on November 27, 2024.

In Thursday’s proceeding, the judge held that the court would have considered the application for the release of the defendant’s travel document if it were in its custody.

She revealed that the passport was with the Federal High Court, Abuja.

READ ALSO: Court to rule on Yahaya Bello’s application for foreign medical treatment July 17

Justice Anenih noted that the court could have considered the submissions of the counsels if the international passport had been in its possession and declared the application incompetent.

She clarified that the bail conditions given to the defendant required him to submit his international passport or an affidavit if it was before another court.

“The bail conditions directed the defendant to release his passport immediately after it was released by the Federal High Court, where he was facing a separate charge.

“The international passport cannot be in two places at the same time; this court is not in a position to speculate if he has two passports,” because this fact was not presented before the court, “she stated.

After the ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter till October 8.

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