The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, till April 24, 2026, following a heated legal dispute between the prosecution and defence over the handling of a witness’s prior statement.
Trial judge, Emeka Nwite, fixed the date after listening to arguments on whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could re-present a document already admitted as evidence to one of its witnesses without first declaring him hostile.
Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC over allegations of money laundering involving N80.2 billion.
The anti-graft agency claims the former governor used proxies and front companies to siphon state funds and obscure the proceeds through layered financial transactions.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), sought to re-present Exhibit 46 — the prior statement of the 12th prosecution witness — arguing that it was necessary to clarify inconsistencies in the witness’s testimony.
However, defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), strongly opposed the move, insisting that the prosecution was attempting to discredit its own witness without following due legal procedure.
“My Lord, I object. If learned counsel intends to contradict his witness, he must first apply to have him declared a hostile witness,” Daudu argued, adding that relying on the document without such a declaration violates established rules of evidence.
The dispute followed testimony by Abdullahi Jamilu, owner of Kumfayakum Global Limited, who told the court he received funds from one Abba Adaudu, converted them into U.S. dollars, and handed them over at different times.
Under cross-examination, the witness maintained that all transactions and deliveries occurred strictly at his office or that of Adaudu, denying any involvement in transfers elsewhere.
In response, Pinheiro rejected claims of contradiction, stating that the prosecution only intended to refresh the witness’s memory, noting that the transactions dated back to 2022. He cited provisions of the Evidence Act that permit witnesses to rely on earlier statements for recollection.
But Daudu dismissed the argument, insisting that the EFCC was effectively treating its witness as hostile without seeking the court’s leave, contrary to legal requirements.
After hearing both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter for ruling on the application.
Earlier in his testimony, Jamilu denied making cash deposits at the Lokoja branch of Access Bank, despite his name appearing in transaction records.
He attributed the deposits — including those dated October 8 and 11, 2021, and March 17, 2022 — to Abba Adaudu.
He further confirmed receiving inflows of N100million and N400million from Keyless Nature Limited in December 2021, identifying the company as belonging to Adaudu.
He also acknowledged a separate inflow from Ejadams Essence Limited in February 2022.
