The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist.

The police headquarters in Abuja has also “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), has warned against obstructing the EFCC “in the discharge of its duty”.

Francis Ogolla, Kenyan chief of defence forces, and nine members of the military have died in a helicopter crash in the western part of the country.

President William Ruto announced the tragic incident in a press briefing on Thursday.

Ruto said the crash happened on Thursday afternoon shortly after take-off, noting that two people survived the incident.

The Star, a local media, quoted witnesses as saying the chopper burst into flames after crashing.

Ruto said he was deeply saddened by the incident and announced that a team of investigators had been dispatched to the site of the crash to determine the cause of the accident.

The president said Ogolla had departed Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, to visit troops in the North Rift region of the country and to inspect ongoing school renovations.

“For me, as the commander in chief of the Kenya defence forces, it is a tragic moment for the Kenya defence forces fraternity and it is a most unfortunate day for the nation at large,” he said.

“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals. We have also lost gallant officers, servicemen, and women.

“The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya.”

Ogolla, who was previously the head of the Kenyan Air Force, before rising to deputy military chief, was promoted by Ruto on April 28, 2023, to head the military.

The late defence chief joined the Kenya forces in 1984, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force.

He was also an instructor pilot at the Kenya Air Force (KAF).

Ruto declared three days of national mourning beginning on Friday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is mulling the “military option” against Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.

On Thursday, the federal high court in Abuja adjourned the case against Bello, Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, to April 23.

The EFCC alleged that the suspects diverted about N100 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

Responding to the EFCC allegations, the Kogi government said funds belonging to the state were not missing during the administration of the former governor.

The former Kogi governor was not present in the courtroom on Thursday.

Kemi Pinhero, EFCC counsel, said Bello’s absence from the court was a strategy.

Responding, Abdulwahab Muhammed, Bello’s lawyer, said on February 9, a court issued a restraining order on the arrest and prosecution of the former governor.

He said the restraining order was appealed by the EFCC, adding that the case is still pending and therefore the arrest warrant granted against Bello on Wednesday does not stand.

Muhammed accused the EFCC of trying to bring the judge on a collision course with the court of appeal.

He said the court has no jurisdiction on the matter as the case is pending at the court of appeal.

Muhammed asked the court to vacate the arrest warrant granted against Bello because the court was “misled”.

He said it may lead to anarchy if a court of competent jurisdiction and another court of competent jurisdiction issue opposing orders.

Responding, Pinhero said if the former Kogi governor believes he is innocent, he should appear in court to defend himself.

He said if Bello is unwilling to appear before the court, measures will be taken against him.

He said section 287 of the constitution allows security agencies, including the military, to produce a person before a court, adding that nobody is above the court or the rule of law.

After hearing arguments from the counsel, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, adjourned further hearing to April 23.