The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday admitted a previous court judgment as evidence in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is facing allegations bordering on ₦110.4 billion fraud.
Presiding judge, Justice Maryanne Anineh, admitted the Certified True Copy of the judgment alongside a payment receipt, tendered during proceedings on May 5, 2026. The documents were marked as Exhibits AY and AY2.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge involving criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), informed the court that he was concluding the examination-in-chief of the 14th prosecution witness, Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja.
Pinheiro told the court he was ready to wrap up the witness’s testimony so cross-examination could begin, while also urging the court to set aside pending applications, including one challenging jurisdiction, to avoid delaying the trial.
During his testimony, Okehone confirmed awareness of a separate suit involving Ali Bello and the American International School, as well as the judgment delivered in that case.
The prosecution tendered the Certified True Copy of the judgment in Suit No. FCT/ST/CB/6574/2023, along with a payment receipt. The defence team, led by J.B. Daudu (SAN) and Z.E. Abbas, raised no objection, and the documents were admitted into evidence.
The witness stated that Ali Bello was the claimant in the earlier suit and described him as the father of a prospective student, Zayyan Ali Bello. However, he clarified that Ali Bello was not the father of four other children referenced in the records.
According to him, “Yahaya Adoza Bello is the father of the four children,” as reflected in the school’s records.
He further told the court that arrangements had been made for the payment of the children’s school fees through an upfront plan covering their education up to graduation. He added that a total of $569,864.12 was paid into the school’s account domiciled with TD Bank, and official receipts were issued for the transaction.
Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed that the American International School is located in the Durumi area of Abuja and that he served as an internal auditor for about eight to nine years. He also noted that his role did not involve direct interaction with students and that he was not a party to the earlier suit.
After cross-examination by both defence counsel and with no re-examination, the witness was discharged.
The prosecution then moved an application dated October 7, 2025, seeking to suspend the hearing of the first defendant’s motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Arguing the application, Pinheiro relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), insisting that criminal trials should proceed without interruption from interlocutory objections.
He urged the court to rule on the matter and allow the trial to continue, citing sections of the ACJA which he said discourage unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings.
