The Kogi State High Court in Lokoja issued a significant order, commanding the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to present himself before the court on May 13.
This directive stems from allegations of Olukoyede disobeying a prior court order.
Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV rendered this order while presiding over Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No. HCL/190M/2024, initiated by former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
The judge asserted that the EFCC’s actions, specifically their attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello despite a standing court order forbidding such actions, amounted to a violation of the court’s directive and constituted contempt.
The sequence of events leading to this ruling unfolded when EFCC operatives, on April 17, besieged the residence of the former Kogi governor in an effort to effect an arrest.
This move occurred despite the existence of a court order prohibiting such actions until the determination of the originating motion.
Justice Jamil’s decision stemmed from a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his legal representative, M.S. Yusuf.
This motion sought an order to serve the EFCC Chairman with Form 49 Notice, compelling him to justify why an Order of Committal should not be issued against Olukoyede.
After carefully considering the arguments presented by Bello’s counsel, along with the submitted evidence, the judge granted Bello’s requests.
Consequently, he ordered Olukoyede to appear before the court to address the contempt charge.
The essence of the applicant’s application lay in the contention that the EFCC, as the respondent, had undertaken actions in contravention of a previous court order dated February 9. These actions, carried out in defiance of the court’s directive, constituted an act of contempt.
In line with the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem” (listen to the other side), Justice Jamil upheld the applicant’s prayers and scheduled the matter for further proceedings on May 13.
This hearing will facilitate Olukoyede’s opportunity to respond to the Form 49 notice served upon him.
“This matter is adjourned to May 13 for the respondent’s chairman to appear before this court in answer to Form 49 ordered to be served on him,” the judge said
