The High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an order preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The court’s decision, delivered by Hon. Justice I.A Jamil in a two-hour judgment, upholds a fundamental human rights petition filed by Bello, under case number HCL/68/M/2020, as reported by Vanguard.
The court’s decisive action reinforces an initial interim injunction, ensuring the former governor’s freedom unless directly overridden by a court order.
This ruling comes after a rigorous debate over jurisdiction, which the court ultimately dismissed, allowing the substantive protections to be granted.
Representatives for both sides of the case reacted positively to the outcome. The applicant’s lawyers, SA Abbas and MS Yusuf, hailed the decision as a “landmark” victory.
Meanwhile, Defendant Counsel, T.U Odima and Patrick O. Jibril, acknowledged the judgment’s thoroughness, aligning themselves with its conclusions.
