In a decisive ruling, the High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued an order protecting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, from any actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that could violate his fundamental human rights.
The judgment, which lasted two hours and was delivered at High Court 4 by Hon. Justice I.A Jamil, specifically prohibits the EFCC from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello without explicit authorization from the court.
This ruling solidifies a previous interim injunction.
The court’s decision was in response to a lawsuit filed by Bello, who sought legal protection against the EFCC’s actions.
Furthermore, the court has barred the EFCC from continuing any form of persecution against Bello. During the proceedings, the court also dismissed the EFCC’s challenge regarding the court’s jurisdiction over the case.
Both the applicant’s legal representatives, SA Abbas and MS Yusuf, and the defendant’s counsel, T.U Odima and Patrick O. Jibril, have hailed the judgment as a significant and comprehensive legal victory.
