Appeal Court Orders Yahaya Bello to Submit Self for arraignment

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, to present himself for arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This ruling overturns a previous decision by the Kogi State High Court that had restrained the EFCC from prosecuting Bello over allegations of N80 billion in money laundering.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Ken Amadi, the appellate court emphasized that the former governor must not take any further legal action regarding the charges against him until he has been formally arraigned.

The court criticized the Kogi State High Court’s earlier ruling, describing it as “scandalous” and asserting that it was clearly intended to shield Bello from facing criminal trial.

The appeal, filed by the EFCC, challenged the judgment of Justice Isah Abdullahi Jamil of the Kogi State High Court, who in February had granted an interim injunction preventing the EFCC from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello and his associates.

This injunction had effectively stalled efforts by the EFCC to arrest and arraign Bello, who has reportedly been in hiding since the charges were brought against him.

The Court of Appeal cited an earlier decision by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, which reaffirmed that no court has the authority to prevent a law enforcement agency from carrying out its statutory duties.

Agreeing with the EFCC’s submissions, the appellate court ruled that the appeal was meritorious and should be allowed.

The court’s decision mandates Bello to appear for his arraignment under the charges listed in the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022 before taking any other legal steps in the matter.