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| EFCC Withdraws Appeal Against Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello |
The withdrawal of the appeal comes as the EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts of alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds.
In a recent development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its appeal against a Kogi High Court order restraining the agency from arresting former Governor Yahaya Bello. The notice of withdrawal was filed on April 22, citing that events have overtaken the appeal and that the appeal was filed out of time.
In February, Bello instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit, alleging politically motivated harassment and threats of arrest by the EFCC. The Kogi High Court granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from harassing or detaining Bello pending the hearing of the substantive motion. The EFCC filed an appeal against the interim injunction but has now withdrawn it.
The EFCC cited two reasons for the withdrawal: first, that events have overtaken the appeal, and second, that the appeal was filed out of time. The Kogi High Court delivered judgment on the substantive motion on April 17, granting an order restraining the EFCC from harassing or detaining Bello. The court, however, directed the EFCC to file a charge against Bello if it had reasons to do so.
The withdrawal of the appeal comes as the EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts of alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds. Bello was absent at the scheduled arraignment on April 18, and his counsel argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the warrant of arrest due to the pending appeal.
The EFCC's withdrawal of the appeal marks a significant development in the case against Yahaya Bello. As the agency seeks to proceed with the arraignment, it remains to be seen how the court will proceed, given the existing orders and the withdrawal of the appeal. The case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings and the importance of due process in the pursuit of justice.
