Lawyer Advises EFCC: Refrain from Media Trial of Yahaya Bello

A legal advocate and expert in constitutional law, Wilfred Molokun, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to cease the continuous media trials of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Molokun criticized the anti-graft agency for resorting to a media trial in its efforts to apprehend and prosecute Bello, emphasizing that it is inappropriate for an organization tasked with upholding economic and financial crime laws to disregard the rule of law in their eagerness to “persecute, prosecute, and shame a former governor.”

He made this statement in response to the recent ruling by Justice Isa Jamil Abdullahi of the Kogi State High Court on April 17, 2024, which ordered the EFCC to refrain from harassing, threatening to arrest, or detaining Bello based on the pending criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Molokun stressed the importance of maintaining decorum and respect for due process, urging the EFCC to allow the Federal High Court judge handling the case to rule on Bello’s application to revoke the arrest warrant, as both parties have adequately presented their arguments on the matter.

He emphasized that adherence to the rule of law is essential for all citizens, including institutions like the EFCC.

The Federal High Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on Bello’s application on May 10, following arguments presented by Adeola Adedipe, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing Bello and the EFCC, respectively, before Justice Emeka Nwite on April 23, 2024.

Adedipe highlighted the necessity of setting aside the arrest warrant, asserting that it should be done suo motu, given that it was issued prior to the formal charges being filed.