The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a statement denying allegations of disobeying a court order in relation to the attempted arrest of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The denial comes amidst ongoing debates concerning the lawfulness of the EFCC’s actions regarding Bello.
In a press release signed by Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s acting Director of Public Affairs, the commission addressed the confusion surrounding the enforcement actions taken against Bello.
The former governor had filed a fundamental rights enforcement action, which was upheld by an order from Justice Isa Abdulallahi of the Kogi State High Court, granting him some judicial protection.
However, Uwujaren highlighted that the order from the Kogi State High Court does not invalidate or override a prior order by the Federal High Court, which authorized the arrest of Bello for his arraignment.
The EFCC’s statement clarifies that their actions were in accordance with the Federal High Court’s directive, thus refuting claims of legal disobedience.
Uwujaren said, “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.
“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 prder of the Kogi State High Court. The case before the Federal High Court is a criminal charge that is different from the fundamental rights enforcement action that is the subject of an appeal.”
Uwujaren pointed out that the EFCC had a track record in the prosecution of politically exposed persons and would continue to exercise its mandate in the overall interest of the nation.
He admonished Bello to turn himself in and answer to the charges preferred against him by the commission.
He called on all patriotic Nigerians to lend their voices in support of the Commission, stressing that “the EFCC will not relent in its quest to wrestle corruption to the ground”a
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