Yahaya Bello: EFCC boss Olukoyede faces jail for contempt

A Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has ordered the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, to appear in court on May 13, 2024 to show cause why a writ of execution should not be issued against him for alleged disobedience of court order.

The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts on which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the disposition of the substantive Originating Motion.

Justice IA Jamil delivered judgment in Case No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024 and ordered that “the said act was done by the respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and remained alive when they performed the deed. The same act of the defendant amounts to contempt.

EFCC operatives had as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, besieged the residence of the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in a bid to arrest him despite a court order restraining them from taking such action. the determination of the Initiating Movement.

Justice Jamil’s order was based on an ex-parte motion filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, MS Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the respondent (EFCC Chairman) with a notice of Form 49 to show cause why No order of commitment should be made at Olukoyede.

After listening to the arguments of the applicant’s counsel, the submissions and the evidence attached in the written address, Justice Jamil answered the prayers of Yahaya Bello and ordered Olukoyede to be summoned to appear before the court to to answer a charge of contempt.

Delivering his order on the motion on April 25, 2024, Judge Jamil said: “The petitioner’s plea before me is that the respondent has committed a number of acts upon which this court restrained him on February 9, 2024. , pending the determination of the substantive notice motion before this Court.

“That the said act was done by the defendant in violation of the order which was valid and in force when they performed those acts. The same acts of defendant amount to acts of contempt.

“That the defendant should be summoned to appear before this court to answer the charge of contempt.

“It is contrary to the above facts that this court hereby grants the prayers prayed for in accordance with the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem”. To know:

“An order of this Honorable Court for the issuance of Form 49 Notice to show cause why a warrant of commitment should not be issued against the Executive Chairman of the Respondent – ​​Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“An Order for Service of Form 49 Notice to Showcase Why Order of Commitment Should Not Be Served on the Executive Chairman of the Respondent – ​​Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Headquarters of EFCC, Plot 301/ 302, Research and Institutions District, Abuja.

“This matter is adjourned until May 13, 2024 for the chairman of the defendant to appear before this court in response to Form 49 to be served on him.”