Appeal Court Reverses Lokoja Court Order in Yahaya Bello vs EFCC Case, Rules Against Former Kogi Governor

In a significant development, the Court of Appeal has overturned the previous ruling of the Lokoja High Court against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in a contempt case initiated by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Presided over by Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC’s request for a stay of execution and proceedings in the contempt case, which was originally being heard by the Kogi State High Court.

The court deemed the motion ex parte to have merit and subsequently adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024.

Additionally, the Court of Appeal directed that all legal documents related to the case should be served through substituted service, specifically by being posted at Yahaya Bello’s last known address in Abuja.

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This decision by the appellate court effectively puts a halt to the ongoing contempt proceedings against the EFCC and its chairman, allowing the appeal filed by the anti-graft agency against the ruling of the Lokoja High Court to move forward.

The case is officially titled EFCC vs. Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and its appeal number is CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024. This ruling marks a significant development in the legal battle between the Kogi State Governor and the EFCC, shaping the course of future proceedings.