The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday was granted a warrant by a Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
The warrant was issued following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC.
In his ruling on the motion, Justice Emeka Nwite also directed that the former governor be produced before him on Thursday, April 18, for arraignment.
He said, “It is hereby ordered as follows:
That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant to bring him before this honourable court for arraignment.
“That case is adjourned to the 18th day of April 2024 for arraignment.”
Earlier, a Lokoja High Court restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the immediate past governor of Kogi State.
Meanwhile, the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, on Wednesday, helped the embattled former governor of the state escape arrest by operatives of the EFCC.
Our correspondent, who was at the ex-governor’s residence, observed Ododo’s arrival with heavy security at about 2:30 pm on Wednesday.
About two hours later, at exactly 4:20 pm, Ododo’s entourage drove out with Bello in the governor’s car.
About 10 minutes after the governor and former governor left, EFCC operatives laying siege to Bello’s home retreated from Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Credit: Punch