The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has obtained a warrant of arrest against former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday, granted the anti-graft agency the permission to arrest Mr Bello, ahead of his arraignment billed for April 18 (Thursday).
The warrant of arrest followed the Lokoja Division of the Kogi High Court’s earlier ruling restrained the anti-graft commission from arresting Mr Bello or infringing on his fundamental human rights.
EFCC operatives had on Wednesday, laid siege to the former Kogi governor’s Abuja residence to secure his arrest.
There was standoff for several hours as the ex-governor resisted arrest until his protégé and successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo allegedly sneaked the embattled Mr Bello out using his official convoy as a getaway vehicle.
Mr Bello had already appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the EFCC not to arrest him, because of an order restraining the agency from arresting or prosecuting him pending the substantive suit filed on his fundamental rights.