Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to respect the subsisting court order with respect to the planned arrest of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had in the last few days, made an attempt to arrest the governor.

However, the Bello’s media handlers said this was against an order of the Kogi State High Court, which granted injunction against the commission.

The planned arrest is said to be contrary to a subsisting court order granted February 9, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello Vs. EFCC, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

The EFCC is said to have appealed the order in Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024, with the matter adjourned to 22nd day of April 2024.

In a statement made available to the media on Friday, the Public Relations Officer of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council, Mr Chimaobi Ezejiofor said it was curious that the EFCC could not wait to exhaust the legal opportunities before clamping down on Bello.

Ezejiofor said government agencies should be at the forefront of respect to the rule of law, stressing that “having submitted itself to the courts by filing an appeal as well a stay of execution, one had expected that the EFCC should respect the res, but in this case it chose to be take laws into its hands.

“This should not be heard of any government agency, as it is suggestive of desperation and ill-motiveness.”

The group urged the commission to respect the sanctity of the courts by allowing the Appeal Court to determine the case one way or the other.

He said, “it is trite in law that once a matter is in court, both parties should maintain status quo until it is decided one way or the other. This is what we expect from the EFCC as an agency of government.

“The current action is tantamount to an assault on the rule of law and goes to show this could be a witch-hunt of some sort.

“Also, declaring the former governor wanted at this point over a matter that is before the Court of Appeal is not the right step to take.

“We, therefore, urge the Commission to enable the law to run its course and not be in haste to the extent of offending the laws.”

Orishirishi