EFCC appeals Kogi court verdict jailing Bawa over contempt of court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed the ruling of a Kogi state high court that ordered the remand of Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairperson of the commission, for contempt.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Thursday, said it has filed a stay of execution of the orders issued by the Kogi court.

BACKGROUND

On February 6, the high court ordered that Bawa be remanded at the Kuje correctional centre for contempt of court.

R.O. Ayoola, the presiding judge, also ordered the inspector-general of police (IGP) to ensure the committal order was executed, just as he awarded N10 million against the EFCC.

The committal order was issued over the case involving Ali Bello, identified as the nephew of Yahaya Bello, Kogi governor,  and the anti-graft agency.

On December 12, 2022, the judge ruled in favour of Bello over his arrest and detention by the EFCC.

But days after the court order, the EFCC re-arrested and re-arraigned Bello over alleged money laundering.

On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Rashida, wife of Kogi governor, Bello, and others over an 18-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N3 billion.

Bello and other defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge while Rashida is said to be at large.

‘TRIAL COURT DIDN’T HAVE JURISDICTION TO ENTERTAIN THE MATTER’

In a statement on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said the Kogi high court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter heard on February 6, 2023, and December 12, 2022.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 filed a motion before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal asking for a stay of execution of the judgment of Kogi State High Court in Suit No: HCL/696/2022 between Ali Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Others, delivered on 12th of December, 2022 and the consequential order made on the 6th of February, 2023,” the statement reads.

“Other reliefs sought in the motion on notice, including an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the appellants/applicant from attempting to execute/ enforce the judgment of the trial court pending the final hearing and determination of the appeal.

“In the supporting affidavit to the application, deposed to by Samuel Anele Ugwuegbulam, he affirmed that the appellants have “strong, good and arguable grounds of appeal”.”

He averred that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to entertain the matter as the alleged infringement of the respondent’s fundamental human rights occurred in Abuja, and no element of it took place in Lokoja.

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 9, 2023

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