A State High Court in Lokoja had on Wednesday inhibited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission —EFCC, from apprehending, detaining and prosecuting the ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Justice I.A Jamil of High Court IV had given the order in a two hour judgement delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020 in Lokoja on Wednesday, April 17.
According to the judge, the infringement on the fundamental human rights of the former Kogi governor was null and void except as authorised by the Court.
Justice Jamil had said:
“By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant except as authorised by the Court. This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.” he said.
Yahaya Bello had filed a case of a breach of his fundamental human rights by the Anti-graft agency before the state High Court and had appealed for an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting him unlawfully.
He also sought for the enforcement of his fundamental right against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Thus, the Court restrained the respondents from persecuting the applicant, until only when it has a reasonable evidence upon proper investigation.
On the issue of jurisdiction as brought on by the EFCC, the judge said it had failed and so was disbanded.
Shortly after the judgement, the Applicants counsels, S.A. Abbas and MS Yusuf, have described the judgment as a notable victory for the judiciary.
