A Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that its order made on April 17, for the arrest and production of ex-governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello still subsists.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Friday, May 10, held that Bello’s continued refusal to attend court and his frustration with the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to execute the arrest warrant were disrespectful of the court.

Justice Nwite held that the court would not entertain the applications filed by Bello unless he appeared in court and pleaded to a 19-count money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.

The judge also rejected the request by Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN) that further proceedings in the case be stayed pending the determination of the appeal by the EFCC in relation to a contempt case before a High Court of Kogi state, sitting in Lokoja.

To support the Invictus Games, an initiative he launched to facilitate the rehabilitation of sick and injured service men and veterans, including Nigerian soldiers engaged in a 14-year fight against Islamic extremists, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday morning.

The couple, who were invited by the Nigerian Armed Forces to visit West Africa for the first time, reportedly landed in Abuja early on Friday morning, according to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. In an effort to improve wellbeing and morale, they will meet with injured soldiers and their families while they are there.

This participation has been praised by Nigerian officials as a major chance for the soldiers’ recovery.

Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter copilot gunner, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to provide wounded veterans and Service members with the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics. Nigeria participated in last year’s edition of the games.

During their stay, the couple will attend basketball and volleyball matches and meet with local non-governmental organizations in Abuja and Lagos that receive their support.

Meghan will also co-host an event on women in leadership with Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to the couple’s spokesman Charlie Gipson.

The news of Meghan’s visit has generated excitement among Nigerians who closely follow her life and association with the British royal family.

The Nigerian military has emphasised the significance of the Invictus Games in aiding the recovery of thousands of personnel who have been fighting Boko Haram Islamic extremists and their factions since 2009.

According to the military’s sports director, Abidemi Marquis, “Eighty percent of our soldiers that have been involved in this recovery programme are getting better (and) their outlook on life is positive.

“The recovery programme has given them an opportunity to improve their personal self-esteem, to improve their mental health and emotional intelligence.”

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Bandits have attacked the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC) Osara in Kogi.

It was gathered that the bandits invaded the university around 9pm on Thursday.

The incident occurred while students were reading in classrooms for their forthcoming examinations.

According to The Cable, a student under anonymity said that she was in ‘Class LR5’ with some other students for tutorials, when they heard a gunshot.

The student said they were shocked to hear the first boom of a gun, with several gunshots following in quick succession.

“We started scampering for safety and it appeared that the gunshots were coming from class LR3, where some students were also reading,” she said.

“I did not know where to run to. When I peeped through the window, I saw our security guard returning fire.”

The source disclosed that some students who managed to escape said the bandits were shooting at them as they fled the scene.

“This morning, we cannot find some of our course mates. Their phone lines are not reachable. We even saw someone’s phone on the floor. We don’t know the number of students that have been kidnapped,” the student said.

It was gathered that William Ovye Aya, Kogi police spokesperson, is yet to respond to phone calls and text messages on the incident.