The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently filed a notice to withdraw an appeal against a Kogi High Court order restraining them from arresting Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
This notice, submitted on April 22, acknowledges that circumstances have evolved beyond the appeal’s scope. Additionally, the EFCC concedes that the appeal was lodged after the legally permissible timeframe.
“The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above-mentioned appeal,” the notice stated.
The withdrawal is based on the fact that on April 17, 2024, the High Court of Kogi State issued a decision that superseded the appellant’s application. The interim orders issued by Jamil on February 9, 2024, which are central to this appeal, were intended to remain effective until the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice. This motion was ultimately resolved by Jamil on April 17, 2024. Furthermore, the notice of appeal was lodged beyond the stipulated timeframe, rendering it incompetent.
The EFCC is pursuing legal action against Bello on 19 charges related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion. The case is being heard by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
EFCC’s head, Ola Olukoyede, who pledged to prosecute Bello or step down, claims that the former governor withdrew $720,000 from state accounts to prepay his child’s school fees before leaving office on January 27, 2024.
Following allegations that Governor Usman Ododo whisked Bello away on April 17, 2024, preventing EFCC operatives from arresting him during a raid on his Abuja residence, the anti-graft commission declared Bello wanted.
