Attraction Court docket stays execution of contempt proceedings towards EFCC chair

The Court docket of Attraction in Abuja has ordered a keep of execution and proceedings within the contempt go well with filed on the Kogi State Excessive Court docket by former Governor Yahaya Bello towards the chair of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), Olu Olukoyede.

A 3-member panel of the appellate courtroom, led by Joseph Oyewole, gave the order on Friday after taking an ex-parte software from the EFCC chairman’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa.

Different members of the appellate courtroom panel embrace – Peter Obiora and Okon Abang.

Particulars of the proceedings have been shared by Mr Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Friday.

In granting the order, Mr Oyewole held that the EFCC chairperson’s request to remain execution of the contempt proceedings had benefit.

Additionally, the Court docket of Attraction ordered substituted service of all of the filings within the go well with to be affixed No 9 Bengazi Steet, Wuse Zone 4 Abuja, being the final recognized handle of Mr Bello.

The justice adjourned the listening to of the movement on discover to the 20 Might.

Background

The Kogi State Excessive Court docket in Lokoja presided over by Isa Jamil on 26 April ordered Mr Olukoyede to seem earlier than it on 13 Might to indicate why he shouldn’t be jailed for allegedly disobeying its earlier order.

Mr Bello had initiated a contempt cost towards the EFCC chair as a part of the ex-governor’s efforts to cease his arraignment and trial on N80 billion cash laundering prices instituted towards him after he left workplace as governor in January.

In his software, Mr Bello accused Mr Olukoyede of committing contempt by allegedly violating the courtroom’s order barring the EFCC from arresting him.

The anti-graft company just lately charged Mr Bello on the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja with cash laundering involving over N80 billion. However efforts by the EFCC to arraign the previous governor have been met with stiff resistance from the latter.

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Mr Bello resisted arrest on 17 February when operatives of the fee tried to execute a controversial arrest warrant towards him at his residence in Abuja.

He was absent from courtroom for his arraignment on the pending N80 billion cash laundering prices on two events – 18 and 23 April.

On the 23 April proceedings on the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja, the decide, Emeka Nwite, issued an order of substituted service, allowing the EFCC to serve the defendant via his lawyer.

Mr Bello and his legal professionals have justified his absence from courtroom, citing a courtroom order shielding him from arrest, which they accused EFCC of violating.

However the anti-graft company has denied violating any courtroom order with its strikes to arrest and arraign Mr Bello.

It argues that its transfer to arrest and arraign Mr Bello was based mostly on the warrant of arrest the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja issued on 17 April.

The company additionally argues that the order issued in favour of Mr Bello by the Kogi State Excessive Court docket in a elementary enforcement go well with doesn’t preclude him from being prosecuted for crimes he allegedly dedicated.