The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it did not disobey a court order concerning the botched arrest of former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Recall that the EFCC attempted to arrest Bello in his Abuja home on Wednesday, April 17, but the anti-graft commission’s effort was thwarted by Bello’s predecessor, Governor Usman Ododo, who stormed the scene with his security details and some youths and whisked the suspect to safety.
Against the backdrop of arguments and counter-arguments on the EFCC’s attempted arrest of the ex-governor, the commission said it did not disobey court order.
In a press statement signed by the EFCC’s Acting Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the commission explained that though Bello sought refuge in a fundamental rights enforcement action through an order granted by Justice Isa Jamil Abdullahi of the Kogi State High Court, the order did not vitiate or nullify an order made by the Federal High Court for the arrest of the former governor for the purpose of his arraignment.
“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.”
Uwujaren pointed out that the EFCC had a shining 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.
The EFCC spokesman 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”.