National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to arrest the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, preparatory to his arraignment on Thursday.
This is as a Kogi State High Court in a conflicting ruling restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining or prosecuting the ex-governor.
The EFCC Counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, had approached the court by an exparte application dated 16th of April, but filed today, 17th of April, 2024.
In the application, the EFCC asked trial judge, Justice Nwite for an ORDER granting leave to the EFCC to effect service of the Charge together with the proof of evidence on the Defendant by substituted means; by pasting the Charge at the last known address of the Defendant within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court being; 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
The EFCC also sought an ORDER issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the Defendant for the purpose of bringing him before the Court for
his arraignment or in the alternative;
“An ORDER issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/ commanding the Defendant to appear before this Honourable court on a names date;
“AN ORDER granting leave to the Complainant/Applicant to cause the publication of the public summons in any newspaper that enjoys wide circulation or by affixing it to some conspicuous part of the last known address of the Defendant or by affixing a copy of the public summon to some
conspicuous part of this Honourable court”.
“AN ORDER granting leave to the Complainant/Applicant to publish and/or make advertorial of the Order for substituted service on the Defendant on a full page of any National dailies.
After listening to the EFCC Counsel, Justice Nwite granted an order directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the Defendant for the purpose of bringing him before the Court for his arraignment.
The court further adjourned till tomorrow April, 18 2024 for the arraignment of the former governor.
We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.
