Yahaya Bello loses as Court of Appeal overturns High Court order against EFCC

The Court of Appeal has overturned the Lokoja High Court’s ruling against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in response to a contempt case initiated by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Presided over by Hon. Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC’s request for a halt in execution and proceedings in the contempt case, which was ongoing in the Kogi State High Court.

The court determined that the motion ex parte presented by the EFCC had valid grounds and scheduled the hearing of the motion on notice for May 20, 2024.

Additionally, it ordered the serving of all legal documents related to the case at Yahaya Bello’s last known address in Abuja.

This ruling marks a significant triumph for the EFCC and its Chairman, effectively pausing the contempt charges against them and enabling the appeal process to advance. The case is identified as EFCC vs. Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024.