On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) submitted a motion for the stay of execution regarding a ruling made by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The ruling pertained to 14 properties and the sum of N400 million allegedly connected to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

Previously, on April 26, Justice Nicholas Oweibo dismissed the EFCC’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of the properties based on the provisions of Section 308(1) of the constitution.

According to the judge, the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter due to the immunity granted to sitting governors.

During the resumed hearing, Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC’s counsel, informed the court of an application filed on April 27, requesting a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal.

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The respondent’s lawyer, Akoh Ocheni, sought to strike out the EFCC’s request, arguing that the agency failed to comply with the court rules by not submitting a written address with the application.

Oyedepo countered by presenting a copy of the written address filed on the same day as the application, stating that the proceedings were already in the process of being transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Oweibo adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Earlier, on February 22, the judge had granted an interim forfeiture of the properties in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, he ordered the preservation of the N400 million recovered from Aminu Falala, which was suspected to have been obtained through unlawful activities and intended for the acquisition of a specific property.