Yahaya Bello: Court Throws Out Ex-Kogi Gov’s Suit, Gives Fresh Order in EFCC’s Favour

• Former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has suffered a major setback in his moves against the EFCC
• This is because the court gave a fresh directive that stopped the embattled Bello from hindering the EFCC’s court proceedings against him
• However, the case between the former governor and the anti-graft agency has been adjourned following the court’s fresh order

TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division has issued an order stopping the contempt suit filed by the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, against Olu Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Court strikes out Yahaya Bello’s suit against the EFCC.
Photo credit: Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Economic and Financial Crimes CommissionSource: Facebook

As reported by The Punch, a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Joseph Oyewole, gave the order on Friday, May 4, after taking an ex-parte application from the EFCC chairman’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa.

Other members of the appellate court panel include – Peter Obiora and Okon Abang.

Yahaya Bello: Court ruled in EFCC’s favour

In granting the orders on Friday, Justice Oyewole held that the motion ex-parte had merit and adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to the 20th day of May 2024, The Cable reported.

The court also ordered for substituted service of all the processes in the case to be pasted at No 9 Bengazi Steet Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, being the last known address of Yahaya Bello, PremiumTimes reported.

EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: What you should know

Recall that Bello had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the EFCC to protect himself from being arrested and detained.

The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February, 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive originating motion.

The anti-graft agency, also filed an appeal to set aside the ruling but later withdrew the appeal because it has been overtaken by events.

However, Bello again approached the Kogi High Court and filed a contempt suit before Justice Jamil.

Consequently, the anti-graft agency approached the Appeal Court to stay the contempt proceedings initiated by Bello against its chairman, Ola Olukoyode.

Yahaya Bello: Daniel Bwala faults EFCC chairman

Meanwhile, Daniel Bwala, lawyer and public affairs analyst, has criticised the EFCC over the allegations against Bello.

Bwala, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential campaign committee in the 2023 general elections, condemned the “trial by media” approach by the anti-graft agency.

The legal practitioner who was reacting to the recent press briefing by the EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, accused the commission’s boss of conducting public discussions akin to a courtroom trial, where media outlets act as judge and jury.

Source: TheTalk.NG

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