The third prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, admitted before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, that there was no wired transfer of fees from the Kogi State Government or any of the local Governments in the state to the account of the American International School, Abuja.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja, admitted that none of the financial documents submitted included the name Yahaya Bello.
Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite overruled the EFCC’s objection to the admissibility of a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in suit FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023, involving Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School. The judgment addressed the issue of school fee payments and refunds, ruling in favour of the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite described the EFCC’s objection as preemptive, noting that the court now prioritizes substantial justice over procedural technicalities. He recalled that at the previous hearing on March 7, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had argued against admitting the judgment, asserting that the defence could not introduce documents before the prosecution closed its case.
Daudu, SAN, countered that admissibility is determined by relevance, not timing. Justice Nwite agreed, stating that the law governs the tendering of documents, particularly their relevance and compliance with Sections 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act. He ruled in favour of the defence, declaring the EFCC’s objection overruled and admitting the document as Exhibit 19.
The witness, Ojehomon—who has served eight years as an internal auditor at the school—was asked to read from Exhibit 19. Prosecution counsel Olukayode Enitan, SAN, objected, stating that interpreting a legal judgment was outside the witness’s expertise. However, the judge allowed the questioning, affirming the defence’s right to proceed.
Reading from the judgment, the witness confirmed it found no court order directing the school to return the funds to the EFCC, nor any declaration that the money constituted proceeds of money laundering. The judgment also stated that the American International School had no right to refund the fees paid under a valid future-payment agreement without a court order. It emphasized the school’s contractual obligation to the Bello family.
Additionally, Ojehomon acknowledged that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear on the letter authorizing the payment of $760,910 to the school. He further confirmed that no funds were traced to the Kogi State Government or any of its local governments in the transaction records.
When asked by the defence counsel whether there were any transfers from the Kogi State government in the school’s financial statements, the witness responded, “No, there is no such name.” The same answer was given regarding local governments.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the trial to May 9, 2025, for continuation.
