On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was granted a warrant by a Federal High Court in Abuja to arrest Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.

The warrant was issued following an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC. Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling, also directed that the former governor be brought before him on Thursday, April 18, for arraignment.

He stated, "An order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant to bring him before this honourable court for arraignment. The case is adjourned to the 18th day of April 2024 for arraignment."

Earlier, a Lokoja High Court had restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining, and prosecuting the immediate past governor of Kogi State.

Meanwhile, the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, on Wednesday, aided the embattled former governor of the state in escaping arrest by EFCC operatives.

Ododo arrived at the ex-governor’s residence with heavy security around 2:30 pm, and about two hours later, at 4:20 pm, Ododo's entourage drove out with Bello in the governor's car. Approximately 10 minutes after the governor and former governor left, EFCC operatives who had been laying siege to Bello’s home retreated from Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.