By Uzair Adam Imam
The High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has issued a restraining order against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), preventing them from violating the fundamental human rights of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.
During a two-hour session at High Court 4, presided over by Hon. Justice I.A Jamil, in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, the court delivered a verdict on Wednesday.
The judgment prohibits the EFCC from engaging in actions such as arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello without explicit authorization from the court.
This definitive order builds upon an earlier interim injunction.The legal proceedings stemmed from a lawsuit initiated by Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who sought to protect his fundamental rights against the EFCC.
The court also mandated the respondents to cease any ongoing persecution of the applicant.
Addressing jurisdictional challenges raised by the EFCC, the court dismissed them in its judgment.Counsel for Alhaji Yahaya Bello, SA Abbas and MS Yusuf, hailed the judgment as a landmark decision.
Similarly, the defense counsel, T.U Odima and Patrick O. Jibril, expressed their alignment with the judgment, praising its thoroughness.