In the midst of a legal dispute surrounding the failed apprehension of former Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has countered claims of flouting a court order related to the matter.
The agency clarified its stance through a Press Statement released by Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the Acting Director of Public Affairs at EFCC.
The issue stemmed from diverging interpretations of court rulings following Bello’s evasion of arrest. According to Uwujaren, although Bello secured protection under a fundamental rights enforcement order from Justice Isa Jamil Abdulallahi of the Kogi State High Court, this did not override a separate Federal High Court directive for Bello’s arrest in connection with pending charges.
“The Kogi State High Court order pertained solely to safeguarding Bello’s personal liberty and freedom of movement,” Uwujaren emphasized. He stressed that this particular ruling did not obstruct the Federal High Court’s prerogative to issue an arrest warrant for the ex-governor’s arraignment on criminal charges.
Uwujaren underscored the distinction between the two legal actions, clarifying that the Federal High Court’s mandate remained intact and was not in conflict with the Kogi State High Court’s decision. He encouraged Bello to present himself before the authorities and address the allegations leveled against him by the EFCC.
Furthermore, Uwujaren reaffirmed the EFCC’s steadfast commitment to upholding justice and combating corruption, particularly among high-profile individuals. He urged all concerned citizens to support the Commission’s efforts, asserting that the EFCC would persist in its anti-corruption mandate.
The ongoing legal saga surrounding Yahaya Bello underscores broader tensions between judicial orders and criminal proceedings, highlighting the EFCC’s resolute stance in tackling corruption within Nigeria.
