EXTRA: ‘A coward thinks he can run, hide’ — EFCC posts cryptic message amid Yahaya Bello’s disappearance

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.

BACKGROUND

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.