A Kogi High Court in Lokoja has directed the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, to present himself before the court on May 13 to provide a reason for his possible disobedience of its order.
Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV issued the directive when presiding over Case No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, Presented to him by former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi in Lokoja.
“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, 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.
“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 statement read.
