The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the arrest of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is now a fugitive.

According to a court application filed on Tuesday by J.S. Okutepa, SAN, on behalf of the EFCC, the withdrawal is due to the fact that the appeal has been rendered redundant by a recent decision of the Kogi State High Court.

The EFCC stated that the subject matter of the appeal, which was the legality of Bello’s arrest, was determined by Justice Jamil J. of the Kogi High Court on April 17, 2024.

As a result, the EFCC argued that the notice of appeal was filed out of time and is therefore incompetent. It has requested that the appeal be struck out.

Recall that the EFCC had attempted to arrest Bello over allegations of N80 billion fraud but was met with resistance at his Abuja home. The commission subsequently declared him wanted. CONTINUE READING