The Court of Appeal in Abuja failed to convene on Monday to hear the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a restraining order issued by a Kogi High Court, which prevents the anti-graft agency from arresting the former governor, Yahaya Bello.
The Kogi court had issued the restraining order on April 17, prohibiting the EFCC from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello. This ruling coincided with the attempted invasion of Bello’s home in Abuja by EFCC operatives in an effort to arrest him.
The EFCC is pursuing charges against the former governor, including alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion.
Despite the EFCC’s determination to prosecute Bello, the Appeal Court did not proceed with the hearing on Monday. This delay adds another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings surrounding Bello’s case.
The EFCC had sought an arrest warrant for Bello through an ex parte motion filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on the same day as the Kogi court’s ruling. In response, Justice Emeka Nwite issued the arrest warrant and directed that Bello be brought before the court for arraignment on April 18.
The postponement of the Appeal Court hearing prolongs the legal standoff between the EFCC and Bello, leaving the outcome of the case uncertain.
Further updates on the matter are expected as the situation develops.