Appeal Court overturns Lokoja court order, rules against ex-Kogi governor Yahaya Bello

The Court of Appeal has overturned the Lokoja High Court’s order in a contempt case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, brought by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Presided over by Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC’s motion for a stay of execution and proceedings in the contempt case pending before the Kogi State High Court. The court found merit in the motion ex parte and scheduled the hearing of the motion on notice for May 20, 2024.

Additionally, the court ordered that all legal documents related to the case be posted at Yahaya Bello’s last known address in Abuja as a form of substituted service.

This decision by the appellate court effectively halts the contempt proceedings against the EFCC and its chairman and allows the appeal filed by the anti-graft agency against the Lokoja High Court’s ruling to move forward.

The case is identified as EFCC vs. Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024.