The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has expressed concerns on the bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty.
Fagbemi noted that a situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, “insufferably disquieting”, noting that a flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake, but only makes it worse.
It all started in the early hours of Wednesday April 17, 2024 when the operatives of the EFCC laid siege at the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in Abuja.
The anti-graft’s presence at Bello’s residence was to invite the former governor to answer to allegation on fraud to the tune of N84 billion preferred against him.
After hours of wait, the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo was seen at the residence, giving room for Bello to flee from the scene.
This action however disrupted the planned arraignment of Yahaya Bello, by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
At the resumed hearing , Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the Abuja Federal High Court that Bello is absent from Court for his arraignment.
Citing Section 12 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the EFCC Counsel however emphasized that the prosecution was ready to fish Yahaya Bello out, even if it takes the military to do so.
Yahaya Bello through his Counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad notified the Court of an order from a Kogi State High Court on a fundamental human rights suit which restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraignment of the former Governor.
He added that the EFCC had appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal is yet to decide on the matter, therefore that the EFCC’s act is unconstitutional and the Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.
Mohammed also noted that his client has not been served with any process.
After listening to both parties, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned to April 23, 2024 for substituted service and possible arraignment.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
