Former governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello is now a fugitive as a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday issued a warrant for his immediate arrest.
His whereabout is unknown even as reports indicate that Bello who was holed up at his Abuja home all day was whisked away by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.
The court order came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed an ex-parte motion. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after considering the submission of the commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, along with the supporting affidavit and exhibits.
Credible News had earlier reported that a High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday 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 and void.”
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 honorable 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 honorable court for arraignment.
READ ALSO: Court stops EFCC from arresting and prosecuting former Gov. Bello
“That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.
Credible News 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.
Credible News reports that the conflicting orders came after the EFCC had appealed against the initial order, and the appeal was scheduled for hearing on April 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 between EFCC and Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege on the former Governor’s Abuja residence.
Credible news.ng
