The Court of Appeal in Abuja did not convene on Monday to hear the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the order of a Kogi High Court which barred the anti-graft agency from arresting the immediate-past governor, Yahaya Bello.
On April 17, the Kogi court ruled to restrain the EFCC from arresting, detaining, and prosecuting Bello.
Judge I.A Jamil issued the order during a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020 in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, last Wednesday.
This ruling coincided with the EFCC operatives’ attempt to arrest Bello at his home in Abuja.
The EFCC is pursuing the former governor on 19 counts related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion.
Despite the Kogi court’s order, the EFCC sought an arrest warrant from the Federal High Court in Abuja on the same day.
The warrant was granted following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC.
In his ruling on the motion, Justice Emeka Nwite directed that the former governor be brought before him on Thursday, April 18, for arraignment, stating, “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 the case is adjourned until April 18 for arraignment.”
