Appeal Court Overturns Contempt Charges Against EFCC Chairman: What It Means

The Court of Appeal has overturned the contempt proceedings initiated by former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede.

In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Joseph Oyewole, the court set aside the proceedings and dismissed the Respondent’s preliminary objection due to technicalities.

The Appeal Court noted that the trial judge failed to extend the Orders of 9th February in the final Judgment of April 17th.

The second issue raised by the former governor regarding the interim order was deemed an academic exercise.

The Appellate Court had previously granted an ex-parte motion for a stay of contempt proceedings against Olukoyede by ex-governor Bello.

Additionally, the Court allowed the EFCC’s application to serve the appeal processes on the former Governor through substituted means.

The hearing of the motion on notice was adjourned to May 20. The EFCC Chairman had been summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court in May to explain why he should not be imprisoned for disobeying court orders.

However, he appealed the trial court’s ruling and requested a stay of the proceedings.

The Kogi State High Court’s decision was based on the fact that the EFCC Chairman had carried out actions that were prohibited by the court’s order on February 9.