Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja is expected to deliver his ruling tomorrow, over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application, seeking the order of court to effect substituted service of charge on former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello over alleged N80.2 billion fraud while in office as governor.
Justice Isa Abdullahi of the Kogi State High Court had, on February 9, 2024, given an interim order restraining the commission from taking any action against Bello, pending the determination of the substantive matter.
The EFCC later approached the Court of Appeal on March 11, 2024, asking the appellate court to set aside the interim restraining order. The EFCC further informed the appellate court that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to assist Bello to escape the deserved vengeance of the law. It added that Bello could not use the lower court to escape invitation, investigation and possible prosecution.
The ECCC said: “Whatever orders made when the court lacks jurisdiction are null and void orders. We, therefore, most respectfully urge this court to allow this appeal and to set aside the interim orders made by the trial court on February 9, 2024, in the interest of justice.”
But the hearing of the EFCC’s appeal over the interim order will also face fierce legal argument as the Kogi High Court, last Wednesday, delivered its substantive judgment in the matter and directed the commission to seek the leave of the Court of Appeal before taking further action against Bello.
Justice Abdullahi of the Kogi High Court’s order held: “Looking at the orders sought by the applicant, I am inclined to grant them subject to some alterations which, in my view, will meet the justice of this case, in the following terms;
“An order is, hereby, granted enforcing the fundamental rights of the applicant to liberty and freedom of movement and fair hearing, by restraining the Respondent by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain or in any manner, whatsoever, arresting, detaining or persecuting the Applicant, on the basis of the criminal charges now pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja to wit; Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022 between FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, without prejudice to the power of the said 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.
“An order is, hereby, granted, directing the Respondent to bring before the said Federal High Court or any such appropriate court, such criminal charge, allegation or complaint, in respect whereof the Applicant is reasonably believed by the Respondent to have committed any offence subject of its jurisdiction, provided that the respondent shall not invite, arrest or detain the applicant on account of a reasonable belief that the applicant has committed any financial crime, without first obtaining the leave of a superior court of record, especially having regard to the antecedents of the respondent in the manner it has managed its engagements with the applicant.”
Meanwhile, legal battle will commence today, at the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, over the legality of the EFCC’s bid to arraign the ex-Kogi State governor. In its judgment, last Wednesday, Justice Isa Abdullahi of the Kogi State High Court placed a legal hurdle on the path of the anti-graft commission that it must first seek the leave of the Court of Appeal before taking further action against Bello.
Before the substantive judgment, Justice Abdullahi had, in an interim order, restrained the EFCC from taking action against Bello, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The development indicates that the EFCC will have to appeal the fresh substantive judgment, get the appellate court’s pronouncement before it can proceed with any action against Yahaya Bello.
However, the Federal High Court, Abuja, in another interim order, granted the request by the commission to arrest and prosecute the ex-governor, creating confusion in the judiciary as both courts have coordinate jurisdiction. At the Court of Appeal, the commission through an application, is seeking to set aside the interim injunction of the Kogi State High Court.
Army confirms killing of 2 officers, 4 soldiers in ambush
The Army Headquarters, Abuja has confirmed the killing of six of her personnel in an ambush at the Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The deceased, comprising two officers and four soldiers, from 1 Division Nigerian Army, deployed at Allawa and Erena, were killed while on a fighting patrol in the area. They, however, gave the terrorists a good fight as several of them were killed, wounded and their equipment seized by the soldiers.
Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the disclosure, said the army authorities have since contacted the families of the deceased personnel to break the sad news, while those of them who were Muslims have been buried according to Islamic rites.
Nwachukwu’s statement reads: “Troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, deployed at Allawa and Erena, while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, had an encounter in an ambush staged by terrorists on April 19, 2024. Troops gallantly fought through the ambush and eliminated several of the terrorists as well as captured some of their equipment.
“Sadly, the troops suffered a temporary setback as six personnel, comprising two officers and four soldiers paid the supreme price. The General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander, Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen Landers Saraso, has, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, sympathised with the families of the deceased personnel and promised them that the unfortunate setback will be avenged by the troops.
“He said the troops are currently trailing some of the terrorists who survived and fled after the encounter. He urged the good people of the state to go about their legitimate and lawful activities and reassured them that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies will ensure their protection at all times.
“In line with customs and traditions, the Nigerian Army authority has contacted the next of kins of the fallen heroes, while burial has been conducted for the deceased muslim personnel with the consent and approval of their family members. The Chief of Army Staff was represented at the burial which took place at the Minna Military Cantonment Cemetery by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Maj Gen Kelvin Aligbe.
“The Deputy Governor, representative of the COAS, GOC and other senior officers also visited the two wounded soldiers receiving medical attention at the Military Hospital and subsequently paid a condolence visit to the families of the deceased. We urge the general public, particularly the good people of Niger and contiguous states, to continue to avail the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with actionable and timely information to enhance the operations of the troops.”
