A Kogi High Court in Lokoja issued an order on Friday, April 26, directing the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13. This order stems from a case of alleged contempt of court.
Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV issued the order in response to Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, filed by former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi in Lokoja.
“The said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the respondent amounts to contempt,” the judge stated.
The EFCC chairman faces a contempt charge for allegedly disregarding a court order issued on February 9, pending the determination of the substantive originating motion.
Justice Jamil’s decision was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf. Bello sought an order to issue and serve the EFCC Chairman with Form 49 Notice to show cause why an Order of Committal should not be made against Olukoyede.
After considering the arguments and exhibits presented by the applicant’s counsel, the judge granted Bello’s prayers and ordered Olukoyede to appear before the court to address the contempt charge.
“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,” Justice Jamil declared.
The EFCC operatives had previously attempted to arrest the former governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on April 17, but he was later escorted away by the convoy of the Kogi Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo.
