Kogi High Court restrains EFCC from arresting, detaining ex-governor Bello

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has given a definite order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining and prosecuting former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

Justice I.A. Jamil of the state High Court IV gave the order in a two-hour judgment on suit no HCL/68/M/2020 delivered on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Justice Jamil declared in the judgement as “null and void” any infringement on the Fundamental Human Rights of the former of Kogi State.

He said, “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant. This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”

In the suit filed before the state High Court by the former governor, Bello had alleged a breach of his Fundamental Human Rights by the Anti-graft agency.

He therefore, prayed the court to grant an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting him unjustly and sought for the enforcement of his fundamental right against the Commission.

Consequently, the Court granted the relief of the applicant and issued a definite order restraining the respondents from persecuting him, safe only when it has a reasonable evidence upon proper investigation.

On the issue of jurisdiction as challenged by the EFCC counsel, T.U Odima and Patrick O. Jibril, the judge said it had failed and so was dismissed saying, “This honourable court has jurisdiction to entertain this application.

“Therefore, the substantive issues of fundamental human rights sought by the applicant succeeds, ” he declared .

Speaking to newsmen, Bello’s counsel, S.A. Abbas and M.S. Yusuf, described the judgment as a landmark and a victory to the judiciary. (Ends)