Alleged Contempt: ‘I’ll Jail You If You Fail To Appear In Court By May 13’, Judge Tells EFCC’s Boss

A Kogi High Court has ordered the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 to explain why he should not be held in contempt for allegedly disobeying a court order.

The order was given by Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV in Lokoja, while ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, following a motion filed by former Governor Yahaya Bello, who alleged that the EFCC violated a court order restraining them from taking action against him.

“The said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. “That same act of the respondent amounts to contempt,” the judge said.

Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf. Bello prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of Committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

“The Judge, after listening to the arguments of the applicant’s counsel, the submission and exhibits attached in the written address, granted Bello’s prayers and ordered Olukoyede to be summoned to appear before the court to answer the contempt charge.

“The applicant’s application before me is to the effect that the respondent has carried out some acts upon which they have been restrained by this court on Feb. 9, pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice before this court.

“That the said act was carried out by the respondent in violation of the order which was valid and subsisting when they carried out those acts. That same act of the respondent amounts to act of contempt.

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“It’s against the above facts that this Court hereby grants the prayers sought in line with the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem” (listen to the other side).

“This matter is adjourned to May 13 for the respondent’s chairman to appear before this court in answer to form 49 ordered to be served on him,” the Judge said.