The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has vowed to arrest the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and bring him before the Federal High Court Abuja for arraignment to answer to the charges preferred against him.
This came on the heels of Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, refusing to be served in the place of his client who is on the run from the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency, while addressing a Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday through its team of lawyers led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, stressed that operatives would execute the arrest warrant against the former governor even if it has to be done by the use of force.
He said, “We have to arraign him in court even if we have to use the military. Immunity is only attached to a person and not the building.
“The law allows to break down walls to arrest an evading defendant. Section 284 says all persons are to obey the service of charge.”
Meanwhile Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to April 23, 2024.
The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84bn money laundering.
At the resumed sitting, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that the immediate past governor of Kogi State was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.
Phinro said the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.
Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.
Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.
Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.
He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.
He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.
