Appeal Court Rules in Favor of EFCC, Yahaya Bello Loses Case

In a significant turn of events, the Court of Appeal has reversed the ruling of the Lokoja High Court concerning a contempt case filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Presided over by Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC’s application for a stay of execution and proceedings in the contempt case at the Kogi State High Court.

In a pivotal development, the Court of Appeal has overturned the previous ruling of the Lokoja High Court concerning a contempt case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, brought forth by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole and the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC’s plea for a stay of execution and proceedings in the contempt case at the Kogi State High Court.

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In the specific case of EFCC vs. Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024, the court found the ex parte motion to be valid, postponing the hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024.

Moreover, it stipulated that all relevant documents related to the case should be served via substituted service, to be affixed at Yahaya Bello’s former known address in Abuja.

This verdict by the appellate court effectively halts the contempt proceedings against the EFCC and its chairman, paving the way for the anti-graft agency to appeal against the earlier decision made by the Lokoja High Court.

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced regarding an attempt by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to influence a judge prior to a tribunal ruling. Usman Okai, the People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal House of Representatives in the 2023 election, brought attention to this matter, citing an alleged leaked WhatsApp chat involving the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, and others.