The Court of Appeal has granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the contempt proceeding by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede.
Justice Joseph Oyewole also granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former Governor and then adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024.
Olukayode was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, which prompted the appeal by the commission.
The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which the commission had been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024.
The EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action pending the determination of the Originating Motion.
The court order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the EFCC Chairman with Form 49 Notice, to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
