The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal has indefinitely adjourned proceedings in an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukayode, seeking to stay contempt charges brought against him by former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The hearing, scheduled for Monday, was stalled due to a two-day workshop on the Review of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals/Court and Appeals, which commenced today in Abuja. The court registrar announced the postponement, stating, “We are holding a workshop, where our judges are in attendance. Therefore, there’s no sitting today. The next adjourned date will be communicated to counsel to the parties for all cases scheduled for today. We are sorry for the inconveniences this might have caused.”
The appellate court had previously granted an ex-parte motion on May 3, staying the contempt proceedings filed by the EFCC against its chairman, following a summons issued by a Kogi State High Court. Mr. Olukayode was summoned to appear before the state court on May 13 to explain why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying its orders.
The contempt charge stems from actions taken by the EFCC that allegedly violated a restraining order issued by the lower court on February 9. Justice I.A. Jamil, in ruling on Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, held that the EFCC’s conduct amounted to contempt. The court found that the EFCC had laid siege to the residence of the former governor early on April 17, intending to arrest him despite the court’s order preventing such action pending the determination of the substantive originating motion.
Mr. Olukayode has appealed the ruling and sought a stay of the trial court’s proceedings. The appellate court’s decision to adjourn the matter indefinitely has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle between the EFCC and the former governor.
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