A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nicholas Ojehomon, testified on Thursday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, affirming that neither the Kogi State Government nor any of its local government areas transferred funds to the American International School, Abuja, as payment for school fees.
Ojehomon, who is the third prosecution witness in the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, also stated under cross-examination that Bello’s name did not appear in any records of parents who paid school fees at the institution.
Led in cross-examination by Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, Ojehomon—an internal auditor at the school—confirmed that the documents tendered in court contained no transfer entries bearing the name Yahaya Bello.
Court Admits FCT High Court Judgment as Evidence
In a significant development, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, overruled the EFCC’s objection to the admissibility of a prior judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in suit number FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023 between Mr. Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School.
Justice Nwite ruled that the objection by EFCC’s counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, was “preemptive” and emphasized that Nigerian courts have shifted focus from technicalities to substantial justice. He noted that the admissibility of documents is governed by relevance and legal provisions under Sections 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act.
“The court is inclined to agree with the defence counsel,” Justice Nwite said. “Consequently, the objection is hereby overruled, and the document is admitted as Exhibit 19.”
Highlights from Cross-Examination
During the session, when shown Exhibit 19 (the FCT judgment), Ojehomon read excerpts aloud in court, confirming that the judgment found no legal basis for the school to have refunded any money to the EFCC. It ruled that the American International School (AISA) had a valid, binding contract with the Bello family regarding future school fee payments and could not legally return funds without a court order.
EFCC counsel Olukayode Enitan, SAN, attempted to stop the witness from reading the judgment, arguing that interpreting legal decisions was beyond the witness’s role. However, the judge allowed the defence counsel to proceed, emphasizing the right to conduct his case fully.
Ojehomon also acknowledged:
- There was no transfer from Yahaya Bello’s name for the $760,910.84 paid to the school.
- No funds were wired from Kogi State Government or any local governments in the state.
- The letter authorizing the payment also did not mention Yahaya Bello.
The case was adjourned until May 9, 2025, for the continuation of trial proceedings.
