Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, July 17, 2025, struck out an application by the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, for the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu before Justice Anineh on a 16-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion.

At the last sitting, Bello, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, had made an application, dated June 19, 2025 and filed on June 20, 2025, praying for a temporary release of his passport to enable him attend a scheduled medical appointment in the United Kingdom, with an undertaking to return the passport to the court upon his return.

In his response to the application, prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, however, urged the court to refuse the request, arguing that the application was aimed at altering the bail conditions the court imposed on the defendant, which required him to deposit his passport with the court.

He further argued that the defendant’s sureties ought to have been put on notice to confirm their continued willingness or not to remain as sureties if the defendant was permitted to travel out of the country.

The prosecution counsel further submitted that the defendant had engaged in abuse of court process by filing a similar application in another court, which was still pending.

“The proper thing would have been for the defendant to retrieve his passport from the other court and then apply for a travel permit before this court. Asking both courts to release the same passport at the same time creates the risk of conflicting orders, which is an abuse of process,” he said.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, prosecution counsel, Jami’u Agburo, informed the court that the matter was for ruling on the application and that the prosecution was ready.

In her ruling, Justice Anineh held that her court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the application since the defendant’s passport was not held by her court.

“A review of the court’s record revealed that the applicant had previously been ordered to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the registry of the court. However, upon further inquiry and search conducted by the court, it was discovered that the said passport was not presently in the custody of the court’s registry but with the Federal High Court. The defendant even deposed to an affidavit himself, stating that his passport had been deposited with the Federal High Court in a bail earlier granted him.

“The simple logic is that the passport cannot be with two different courts at the same time. Since the defendant admitted depositing the passport with the Federal High Court, there is no reason making any order here in regards to the application. Courts don’t make orders in vain and as such, this court will not make any order that will be in vain since the passport in issue is not with this court but the Federal High Court,” she said.

She adjourned the case till October 8, 9 and November 13, 2025, for continuation of trial.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has lauded the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a leader who served Nigeria without embezzling the nation’s treasury.

Akpabio made the remarks on Thursday at an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja in honour of Buhari.

The President of the Senate noted that even the former president’s critics would concede that he did not misappropriate public funds while in office.

The Northern Vanguard, NV, a political advocacy group based in Abuja, has issued a stern warning to those attempting to create a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, ahead of 2027.

In a statement on Thursday, Edward Gulak, President of the Northern Vanguard, called on political detractors “to cease the orchestrated campaign of discord” aimed at weakening the cordial, productive working relationship between the country’s two topmost leaders.

Gulak described the current atmosphere in the presidency as one of “uncommon loyalty, harmony, and shared vision,” adding that any attempt to drive a wedge between Tinubu and Shettima was “not only mischievous but deeply unpatriotic.”

He described Shettima as not just experienced, but someone who truly understands Nigeria’s challenges in security, the economy, and regional issues.

Gulak warned that any attempt to create problems between Tinubu and Shettima will be strongly resisted by Nigerians who want peace and stable leadership.

He said Nigerians are tired of political drama, they want results, and that’s what Tinubu and Shettima are delivering. Dividing them, he said, would harm the nation.

The group believes their partnership is a rare chance for long-term political stability and commended Shettima for staying loyal, mature, and focused on his duties.

They also urged the media and public commentators not to fall for tricks or fake crises pushed by people with selfish motives.

As the 2027 elections approach, the group called on all politicians to focus on building the country, not spreading division.

“This government needs unity, not distractions. Nigerians are watching, and history won’t be kind to those who try to sabotage progress.”

“We are aware that some political merchants, driven by envy and personal bitterness, are hoping to manufacture a rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in order to destabilise this administration ahead of 2027,” he said.

“These rogue elements are disappointed that the President and his Vice are working in seamless unity, and unlike what played out between former President Obasanjo and his then Vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima has remained unshakeable, fortified by mutual respect and purpose,” he added.