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

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (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.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly rescued one of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in 2014.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the girl, Lydia Simon, was rescued by troops of 82 division task force battalion in Ngwoza LGA of Borno.

The publication said Lydia, who is five months pregnant, was rescued alongside her three children on April 17.

She was among the 276 students abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in April 2014.

The publication added that Lydia claimed to be from Pemi town in Chibok.

Makama said Lydia escaped from a camp located at Ali Ngulde in Mandara mountain where she was held captive for 10 years.

The publication said the girl surrendered to troops of 82 division task force battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of the state.

In the past 10 years, more than 100 of the schoolgirls were released in batches after negotiations, while some escaped from their abductors.

In April 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said about 93 schoolgirls were still in captivity.

The federal government had promised to ensure the remaining schoolgirls are rescued but many of the students are still in captivity 10 years after they were abducted.