Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court says the travel passport of the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody but in the custody of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Anenih made this known on Thursday at the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governor,
She held that the court would have considered the application for the release of the defendant’s travel document if it were to be in its custody.
The judge said even if the request to retrieve the travel passport were to be granted, it would be of no effect since the passport was not in the custody of the court but before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.
The former governor is facing similar charges at both the FCT and the Federal High Courts, Abuja.
He had requested the release of his passport to enable him to travel out of the country on health grounds.
His counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had earlier submitted that the travel passport being requested was not in the custody of the court.
The applicant had previously been ordered to deposit his travel passport and other travel documents with the registry of the court.
The defendant, in his application, had also indicated that his travel documents were with the Federal High Court.
After the ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9 and November 13, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
