Abuja High Court stops EFCC, ICPC from detaining ex-Zamfara governor Yari

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission (ICPC) have been stopped by an Abuja Federal High Court from detaining Abdul’aziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Additionally, the court ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to cease its attempts to detain the senator-elect.

On Monday, Justice Donatus Okorowo issued the order in a ruling that he delivered on a motion that was considered ex parte.

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The judge ordered the respondents (the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS) to show cause on the next adjourned date as to why the prayers sought on the motion ex-parte should not be granted. These prayers were sought on the motion that was filed in secret.

“The respondents were, however, restrained from detaining the applicant until the return date for the order to show cause,” the judge ruled. “The applicant may not be detained until the return date for the order to show cause.”

The respondents will have until June 8 to show cause, so the hearing has been postponed until then.

In an expert motion, the former governor of Zamfara had asked the court for an order restraining the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS from arresting him. If the court grants the request, the former governor will not be able to take part in the proclamation of the 10th Senate, which will take place on June 13 and be presided over by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Yari, who stated that he is interested in running for the position of President of the Senate, made the allegation that some members of his political party, the All Progressives Congress, are using the respondents and their agents to harass him and threaten to arrest him on trumped-up charges in the time leading up to the first sitting of the Senate, which is when nominations and elections of presiding officers shall be constituted. Yari said he has the desire to run for the position of President of the Senate.