EFCC’s Conflicting Court Orders in Yahaya Bello’s Case: Arrest Warrant Issued Amidst Legal Battle

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has laid siege to the Abuja residence of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, amidst a legal battle involving alleged financial misconduct.

The siege follows a series of conflicting court orders issued by the Lokoja High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued for Bello’s arraignment in court today.

On one hand, the Lokoja High Court had earlier on the same day issued a restraining order against the EFCC, preventing the agency from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello.

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the former governor for arraignment in court on Thursday.

This legal conundrum stems from the EFCC’s appeal against the February order, with the appeal scheduled for hearing on April 22.

The EFCC has accused Bello of diverting approximately N100 billion, a charge that the agency claims was committed months before he assumed office as governor in September 2015.

The anti-graft agency had indicted Bello alongside his Chief of Staff, Alli Bello, and Daudu Suleiman, who was re-arraigned by the EFCC.

Despite the legal drama, the Kogi State Government has criticized the EFCC’s actions as a “witch-hunt,” claiming that no money is missing from the state and that the agency has no authority to try the former governor or any other person.

As the situation continues to unfold, the conflicting court orders and the arrest warrant issued against Yahaya Bello highlight the complex and contentious nature of the legal battle between the former governor and the EFCC.

The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape and the fight against corruption.