The Court of Appeal in Abuja did not meet on Monday (today) to hear the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) appeal against a Kogi High Court order that barred the anti-graft agency from apprehending Yahaya Bello, the former governor.
The Kogi court ruled on April 17 that the EFCC could not take any action against Bello, as indicated in Judge I.A. Jamil’s decision in Lokoja last Wednesday in suit number. HCL/68/M/2020.
This development occurred simultaneously with the attempted arrest of Bello by EFCC operatives at his residence in Abuja.
The EFCC is pursuing legal action against the ex-governor for various charges, including money laundering and misappropriation of funds amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
The anti-graft agency’s efforts pressed further to bring Bello to justice by approaching the Federal High Court in Abuja and was subsequently granted an arrest warrant based on an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC.
In his decision regarding the motion, Justice Emeka Nwite further instructed that the former governor appear before him on Thursday, April 18, for arraignment.
He said, “It is hereby ordered as follows:
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant to bring him before this honourable court for arraignment.
“That case is adjourned until April 18 for arraignment.”