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)
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