EFCC Withdraws Appeal Against the Injunction Barring Yahaya Bello's Arrest

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made the decision to drop its appeal against an interim order that stopped Kogi State's recently appointed governor, Yahaya Bello, from being arrested before the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

The EFCC announced in a notice of discontinuance dated April 22 that it was ending the appeal process since further developments superseded the original ruling made by a Kogi State High Court in favor of the former governor.

The commission also admitted that it filed its appeal of the interim order outside of the legally permitted time frame.

According to the withdrawal notification filed with the appellate court, “The appellant intends to and hereby wholly withdraws her appeal against the respondent in the above-mentioned appeal.

“This notice of withdrawal is based on the fact that on April 17, 2024, the decision of the Kogi State High Court in the case of Alhaji Yahaya Bello Vs EFCC- Suit No: HCL/68m/2024 rendered the application filed by the appellant moot. The orders made ex parte by Jamil on February 9, 2024, were to last pending the hearing. and determination of the originating motion on notice, which was finally determined by Jamil J. on April 17, 2024.

“Furthermore, the notice of appeal was filed out of time, and we, therefore, pray that the appeal be struck out for being filed out of time and incompetent.”

In an attempt to stop his arrest and incarceration, Yahaya Bello had already sued the EFCC on the fundamental rights concept.

In a verdict on February 9, the court ordered the EFCC to refrain from making any arrests, holding any arrests, or pursuing any legal action against Bello while the lawsuit is being resolved.

 

The EFCC filed an appeal to have the temporary injunction revoked, however on April 17, the court rendered a decision regarding Bello's substantive lawsuit.

The Kogi State High Court issued an injunction in its ruling that prevented the EFCC from detaining or charging Bello without first seeking permission from a higher court, protecting his fundamental rights.

Yahaya Bello is presently on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 19 counts of embezzlement and theft of N80.2 billion in public monies.