Monday saw the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, rejecting claims of disobeying a court order in relation to the failed arrest of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
Earlier in February, the Kogi State Federal High Court in Lokoja had issued an order preventing EFCC agents from troubling, detaining, or prosecuting Bello while his fundamental rights enforcement case was pending.
The court order stemmed from the EFCC’s probe into an alleged fraud case amounting to over N80 billion involving the ex-governor and three others.
Despite the court’s ruling, EFCC carried out a failed operation to apprehend Bello at his residence in Abuja.
Responding to the situation, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren highlighted that although Bello was shielded under a fundamental rights enforcement action as per Justice Isa Jamil Abdulallahi of the Kogi State High Court, that order did not invalidate the Federal High Court’s directive for the ex-governor’s arrest to face charges.
In a statement, Uwajaren emphasized EFCC’s commitment to prosecuting politically influential figures and urged Bello to surrender and address the allegations brought by the Commission.
Uwajaren stated: “Amidst debates on whether EFCC flouted a court order in the attempted arrest of former Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Commission refutes any violations of court orders in this context.
“The enrolled order from the Kogi State High Court merely affirmed Bello’s personal liberty and movement rights, without hindering the Federal High Court from issuing any relevant orders concerning the case between the applicant and respondent.
“The Federal High Court’s order for Yahaya Bello’s arrest for arraignment does not clash with the Kogi State High Court’s order. The Federal High Court matter pertains to a criminal charge distinct from the fundamental rights enforcement action currently under appeal.”