From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The former governor alongside his nephew and other former government officials, allegedly siphoned over N80 billion while he held sway as governor.
Over 140 properties have also been linked to the embattled former governor, both in Nigeria and abroad. His media aide, Mohammed Onogwu didn’t respond to calls or messages to confirm the latest development.
The warrant was issued following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on April 17, 2024.
Meanwhile, the development has created confusion as a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from infringing on the fundamental human rights of the former governor.
In a two hour judgment delivered on Wednesday, at the High Court 4 and presided over by Justice I.A Jamil, in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, the court restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant except as authorized by the court.
Both courts are courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
But in Abuja, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court granted the request by the EFCC for the arrest of Yahaya Bello.
This was sequel to a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, filed by the anti-graft agency praying the court to serve Bello the charge and the proof evidence on the defendant through a substituted means.
The EFCC also sought an order seeking the immediate arrest of Bello for arraignment.
The EFCC’s reliefs partly read, “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
“An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”
In his ruling on the motion Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the immediate arrest of the former governor of Kogi State.
He also directed that the former governor be produced before him on Thursday April 18 for arraignment.
Nwite said, “It is hereby ordered as follows:
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant to bring him before this honourable court for arraignment.
“That case is adjourned to the 18th day of April 18, 2024 for arraignment,”.