Yahaya Bello: EFCC Boss, Olukoyede To Face Criminal Trial For Contempt Of Court May 13
…Summoned To Show Cause Why He Should Not Be Committed To Prison
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has ordered Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to appear in court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why an order of committal should not be issued against him for allegedly disobeying a court order.
The EFCC chief is facing a contempt charge for engaging in “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the outcome of the substantive originating motion.
Justice I. A. Jamil ruled in Suit Number HCL/68M/2024 and Motion Number HCL/190M/2024 that “the said act was carried out by the respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and in effect at the time the act was carried out. That same act by the respondent constitutes contempt.”
EFCC operatives had laid siege to the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8 a.m. on April 17, 2024, in an attempt to arrest him, despite a court order prohibiting them from doing so pending the outcome of the originating motion.
Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, in which he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve a Form 49 Notice to the respondent (EFCC Chairman) to show cause why a committal order should not be issued against Olukayode.
After hearing the applicant’s counsel’s arguments, the submission, and the exhibits attached to the written address, Justice Jamil granted Yahaya Bello’s prayers and summoned Olukoyede to appear in court to answer the contempt charges.
On April 25, 2024, Justice Jamil issued his order on the motion, stating, “The applicant’s application before me is to the effect that the Respondent has carried out some acts on which they have been restrained by this Court on the 9th of February, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive motion on Notice before this Court.
“That the respondent violated the order, which was valid and in effect at the time they committed the acts in question. The Respondent’s actions constitute acts of contempt.
“That the respondent be summoned to appear before this Court to answer the contempt charge. Against the foregoing facts, this Court hereby grants the prayers requested under the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem.”
To wit: “An order of this Honourable Court directing the issuance of a Form 49 Notice to show cause why an order of committal should not be issued against the Executive Chairman of the Respondent, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“An order for service of Form 49-Notice to show why an order of committal should not be issued on the Executive Chairman of the Respondent – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the EFCC Corporate Headquarters, Plot 301/302, Research and Institution District, Abuja.
“This matter is adjourned until the 13th of May, 2024, for the Respondent’s Chairman to appear before this Court in response to Form 49, which was served on him.”