The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that it disobeyed a court order concerning the attempted arrest of former Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello.
According to a press statement by the EFCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, while Bello obtained an order from the Kogi State High Court to protect his personal liberty and freedom of movement, this order did not override the Federal High Court’s order for his arrest in connection with criminal charges.
Uwujaren emphasized that the EFCC remains committed to prosecuting politically exposed individuals and urged Bello to surrender himself to face the charges.
He called on Nigerians to support the EFCC’s efforts in combating corruption.
“The enrolled Order of the Kogi State High Court only granted an order to enforce Bello’s right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, it didn’t preclude the Federal High Court ‘to make any Order as it may deem just in the determination of the rights of the Applicant and the Respondent as may be submitted to her for consideration and determination”, he said.
He further stressed that, “The Order made by the Federal High Court for the arrest of Mr. Yahaya Bello for the purpose of his arraignment is not in conflict with the Order of the Kogi State High Court. The case before the Federal High Court is a criminal charge which is different from the fundamental rights enforcement action that is the subject of an appeal”.
“The enrolled Order of the Kogi State High Court only granted an order to enforce Bello’s right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, it didn’t preclude the Federal High Court ‘to make any Order as it may deem just in the determination of the rights of the Applicant and the Respondent as may be submitted to her for consideration and determination”, he said.
“The Order made by the Federal High Court for the arrest of Mr. Yahaya Bello for the purpose of his arraignment is not in conflict with the Order of the Kogi State High Court. The case before the Federal High Court is a criminal charge which is different from the fundamental rights enforcement action that is the subject of an appeal”.
