Appeal Court stops Yahaya Bello’s contempt proceedings against EFCC

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division on Friday, issued an order stopping the contempt suit filed by the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

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

Justice Isa Abdullahi Jamil of the Kogi State High Court delivered a ruling on February 9, where he issued an interim order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining, persecuting, or prosecuting Bello pending the determination of the suit.

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

This is after the commission filed a suit against Bello at the Federal High Court Abuja that issued an arrest warrant against the ex-governor

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.

A three-member panel of the appellate court presided over by Justice Joseph Oyewole, assisted by Justice P. C. Obiora and Justice Okon Abang, granted the request of EFCC, staying the execution and contempt proceeding.

A team of lawyers led by Jibrin Okutepa, (SAN), alongside Eko Ejembi Eko, (SAN) Abdulkareem Musa, Esq, and David Ojogbane Akogu, Esq all appeared for EFCC.

In granting the orders, 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 court in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024, 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.

The justice said, “The 2nd motion moved for an order to serve the respondent Yahaya Bello all the processes in the appeal by substituted means through the mode stated on the face of the motion is hereby granted.

“The court grants the motion that processes be served through substituted means by pasting on the gate of the last known address of the respondent”.