Federal High Court in Abuja, ordered that a warrant be issued to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the immediate arrest of the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
A High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday had earlier restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Bello.
Justice I.A Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, held that infringing on Bello’s “fundamental human rights is null avoid “. The judge, who dismissed the commission’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, said: “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant.
“This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nwite on Wednesday, the judge ordered that a warrant be issued to the commission for Bello’s immediate arrest.
He also directed that the former governor be produced before the court on April 18 for arraignment.
“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 for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.
“That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.
NAN reports that the EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 dated April 16 and filed April 17, sought six orders.
These include “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
“An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”
In the alternative, the anti-graft agency sought an order issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/commanding the defendant to appear before the court on a named date, among others.
The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege to the former Governor’s Abuja residence.
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