By Joy Yesufu
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to present himself for arraignment on charges of financial misconduct.
The court also prohibited him from taking any further action regarding the charges until he has been formally arraigned.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday by Justice Ken Amadi, the Court upheld the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a previous ruling by Hon. Justice Isah Abdullahi Jamil of the Kogi State High Court.
The appellate court characterized the lower court’s judgment as “scandalous” for suggesting that the proceedings were intended to shield Bello from his criminal trial.
Justice Amadi stated that the trial judge had disregarded the relevant charges in the case of FRN vs. Ali Bello & Anor, yet still found grounds to release Bello, citing the enforcement of fundamental rights.
The Court leaned on prior decisions, referencing Justice Olubunmi Oyewole’s ruling in EFCC vs. Alhaji Yahaya Bello to emphasize that no court can obstruct law enforcement agencies from exercising their statutory responsibilities.
Consequently, the Court determined that the EFCC’s appeal was valid and warranted approval. It further invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stating that “Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is hereby ordered to appear for his arraignment in Charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, FRN vs. Ali Bello & Anor, before undertaking any other steps in this matter.”
In February 2024, Bello filed a suit in the Kogi State High Court seeking to prevent his arrest. Justice Jamil had previously issued an injunction restraining the EFCC from effecting any measures against him.
