The Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that its order made on April 17 to arrest and produce the ex-governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, still subsists.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Friday, May 10, held that Bello’s continued refusal to attend court and antics to frustrate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)'s arrest warrant were disrespectful of the court.

According to Vanguard, the court accused the former governor of Kogi state of attempting to frustrate the criminal case that the EFCC had initiated against him.

Justice Nwite held that the court would not entertain Bello's applications unless he appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a 19-count money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.

Court rejects Yahaya Bello's application

The judge also rejected Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN), 's request that further proceedings in the case stay pending the determination of the EFCC's appeal in relation to a contempt case before a High Court of Kogi state, sitting in Lokoja.

The EFCC declared Bello a wanted person on Thursday, April 18. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Service (DSS) have also placed the former governor on their watchlist.

The anti-graft agency is moving to prosecute the former governor on 19 charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds worth N80.2 billion.