The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday posted a cryptic message on X which appears to be directed at Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

On April 18, the anti-graft agency declared the former governor wanted over alleged financial crimes.

The EFCC asked anyone with useful information on Bello’s whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest police station.

On March 14, the EFCC named the former Kogi governor in an amended charge filed against Alli Bello.

Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, the incumbent governor of the state, and one Daudu Suleiman are the two defendants in the 17-count amended charge.

The EFCC alleged that the suspects diverted about N100 billion belonging to the Kogi state government in September 2015 – about four months before Bello assumed office as governor.

On April 17, the anti-graft agency barricaded the Abuja residence of the former governor of Kogi to arrest him.

Some hours later, Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence and was said to have left with the former governor in his vehicle.

THE CRYPTIC MESSAGE

The EFCC in its “Eagle Series” posted on X, wrote that “once the eagle is on your case, you cannot hide—you can only run, adding that it will smoke you out in a matter of time.

“Reason: The Eagle will smoke you out. It’s just a matter of time,” the anti-graft agency added.

“The world may be very big and Wide Only a coward thinks he can run and Hide But the Eagle will locate where you Reside In due time, you will bring yourself Outside The option now is left for you to Decide.”

Earlier on Friday, Abdulwahab Mohammed, lead counsel for Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, asked a federal high court in Abuja to give him four weeks to search for his client.

Mohammed added that the ex-governor’s whereabouts remain unknown.

The court has also refused to vacate a warrant of arrest issued against Bello.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, criticised Bello for filing applications despite his refusal to show up in court.

He described the actions of the former governor as an attempt to truncate the case preferred against him by the EFCC.

Isa Dogonyaro, a member of the house of representatives, is dead.

Dogonyaro, who represented Babura/Garki federal constituency of Jigawa, died on Friday in Abuja, after a brief illness. He was 46 years of age.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, announced Dogonyaro’s passing in a statement.

“Hon. Isa Dogonyaro was a dedicated and passionate legislator who served his constituents and the nation with utmost commitment,” the statement reads.

“He was a pillar in the House, contributing significantly to the development of legislation, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, where he served as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee.”

Rotimi said Dogonyaro was “known for his integrity, diligence, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the Nigerian people”.

“His presence will be sorely missed in the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives.

“Hon. Isa Dogonyaro was a detribalized patriot who was very jovial as much as he was an intellectual.

“He built strong bonds of friendship with Honourable Members from all parts of the country.

“He is survived by wives and children.”

The house spokesperson said prayers will be held for the deceased today (Friday) at the National Mosque, Abuja, after Jumaat prayers, which will be followed by interment at the Gudu Muslim cemetery, in line with Islamic rites.

In a statement mourning Dogonyaro, Tajudeen Abass, speaker of the house, said the lawmaker was a “brother, friend and patriotic Nigerian”, adding that he is “pained” by his demise.

Abass said the deceased “demonstrated zeal, determination, and dedication to nation-building”.

“He was a perfect gentleman and a sound lawmaker. His departure will leave a vacuum in the House. We will sorely miss him,” the speaker said in a statement issued by Musa Krishi, his special adviser on media.

Dogonyaro was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police has regained freedom.

FIJ disclosed on its website that Ojukwu regained freedom on Friday after 10 days in police custody.

Ojukwu was said to have gone missing last Wednesday and could not be reached as his numbers were switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends.

Twenty-four hours after he went missing, FIJ made a missing person report at police stations in the area where Ojukwu was headed.

In efforts to know his whereabouts, a private detective hired by FIJ tracked the last active location of his phones to an address in Isheri Olofin, a location FIJ now believes was where the police originally picked him up.

Ojukwu’s family, consequently, knew about his detention at Panti, where they were made to understand the authorities were accusing him of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police relocated him to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.

The police gave FIJ’s lawyers and negotiators — led by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters; Jide Oyekunle, chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Correspondent’s Chapel; and Bukky Shonibare, chairman of FIJ’s Board of Trustees — stringent bail conditions.

On Thursday, after a protest march by civil society organisations at the Force Headquarters for his release, the police said he would be released, which eventually happened Friday.

Abimbola Ojenike, Managing Partner of Slingstone LP, FIJ’s attorneys said, “Daniel Ojukwu’s case is one of the most egregious cases of human rights violation and misuse of the powers of the Police against journalists.”

He further said, “This will not go unchallenged. There’s a significant public interest in Daniel’s human rights enforcement action that goes beyond just this violation. The constitutional right to free speech is dead if journalists can no longer expose the malfeasance in government officials without fear or oppression.”