A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, permission to travel overseas for medical care, citing an invalid medical report as the basis for the rejection.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that the medical document submitted in support of the request was unsigned, making it legally inadmissible.

Bello is currently facing trial on charges of alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He is also being tried on similar charges at the FCT High Court in Maitama before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

Seeking the release of his international passport to undergo treatment in the UK, Bello argued through his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), that he has battled hypertension for 15 years and urgently needs medical care. Two medical documents were presented to support the request.

However, Justice Nwite ruled that the main medical report, labeled Exhibit B, held no legal value due to the absence of a signature from the author. “A document not signed by its maker carries no legal weight. Exhibit B lacks probative value and cannot be relied upon,” he said.

The judge concluded that Bello failed to provide enough evidence to warrant the release of his passport.

In addressing the EFCC's claim that the application was an abuse of court process, the judge disagreed, noting that the application followed proper legal procedure and did not conflict with any standing orders from the FCT High Court.

Justice Nwite also dismissed the EFCC's argument that Bello's sureties should have been notified before filing the application, asserting that the matter was strictly between Bello and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

With no valid medical documentation, the court ruled it had no grounds to approve the travel request and formally denied the application.

The case was adjourned to October 7 and 10, and November 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.