Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello slams EFCC boss Olukoyede, says EFCC siege violates his rights
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission laid siege to the residence of former Governor Yahaya Bello in Wuse, Abuja on Wednesday.
Governor Ahmed Ododo and his motorcade were seen around the area.
One of the operatives said the siege was related to money-laundering charges levelled against the ex-Kogi governor.
EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached to confirm the claim.
In March, the EFCC dragged Bello and three alleged accomplices before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on an amended N84 billion money laundering charge.
Reacting to the EFCC’s siege on Wednesday, the ex-governor’s media office condemned the action and urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the EFCC.
“The presence of EFCC’s operatives in Bello’s residence negated an injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, on February 9,” said the media office.
It added that the court granted the injunction in suit number HCL/68M/2024 between Mr Bello and the EFCC restraining the anti-graft agency from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting the ex-governor, pending the determination of a substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.
It added, “The EFCC was duly served with that order on February 12, and on February 26, it filed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. The appeal was accompanied by a motion for a stay of execution of the order of the Lokoja High Court, and the Court of Appeal fixed hearing for April 22.
“Furthermore, judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC will be delivered at noon in Lokoja on Wednesday. Contrary to all of these, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of Yahaya Bello, seeking to arrest him in contravention of extant orders.
“It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to reliefs granted. We are aware of the total commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s current administration to the rule of law.”
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
SEC set to deliver sustained zero trade fail rate in T+1 settlement cycle: DG
The DG said the focus would be on full delivery-versus-payment discipline across custodians, brokers and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS).
Lagos
Lagos residents decry soaring corn prices
A corn trader, Justina Odion, blamed the high retail price on increased wholesale costs.
NationWide
Afam Okeke wins NBA general secretary election with 8,478 votes
The live results portal showed that a total of 82,167 voters were accredited for the general election held on Saturday.
States
Tinubu is pillar of my infrastructural development: Gov Sani
The governor said that the N1 trillion Light Rail Project will commence in the next two months.
States
Students killed as troops foil abduction attempt in Borno school
He said that the terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators
Rights
Civil society organisations key to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy: CDHR
He said civil society organisations serve as a bridge between the government and the people.
