Appeal Court Sets Aside Contempt Proceedings against EFCC Chairma
The Court of Appeal has set aside contempt proceedings initiated by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
In a unanimous judgement read by Justice Joseph Oyewole, he set aside the proceedings while overruling the respondent’s preliminary objection, citing technicalities.
The Appeal Court held that the trial judge failed to extend the orders of ninth February in its final Judgment of April 17.
He said the second issue raised by the former governor on the interim order, had become an academic exercise.
The Appellate Court had earlier granted an ex-parte motion for stay of contempt proceedings filed against Olukoyede, by ex-governor Bello.
The Court granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the appeal by substituted means on the former Governor.
The court consequently adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to May 20.
The EFCC Chairman had been summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court in May to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying its orders.
But he had appealed the ruling of the trial court and sought a stay of the proceedings of the court.
