The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is gearing up to launch an investigation into the eight-year administration of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, following the expiration of his tenure on January 27, 2024.
Bello, who was previously shielded by the immunity granted to governors, is now susceptible to legal action.
Daily Times reports that the move by the EFCC comes in the wake of an earlier suit seeking the forfeiture of properties and funds linked to Bello, which was dismissed due to his immunity from prosecution.
EFCC subsequently filed an appeal challenging the ruling of Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, who had struck out the suit on April 26, 2023.
In the notice of appeal, the EFCC contends that the immunity conferred on Bello during his tenure as governor does not extend to properties suspected to be proceeds of crime traced to him.
It argues that the court erred in not aligning itself with precedent decisions, such as the Court of Appeal in EFCC v Fayose (2018) and the Supreme Court in Fawehinmi v IGP (2002), regarding the interpretation of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.
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Furthermore, the EFCC asserts that the trial court erred in striking out a preservation order on properties suspected to have been acquired through unlawful activities.
Despite finding that Bello failed to demonstrate the genuine origin of funds used to acquire these properties, the court dismissed the preservation order.