Bello faces 19 counts of laundering over N80 billion allegedly diverted from Kogi State funds during his tenure as governor from 2016 to 2024
EFCC Seeks to Re-examine Witness in Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial, Defence Objects
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday requested permission from the Federal High Court in Abuja to re-examine a prosecution witness in the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Bello faces 19 counts of laundering over N80 billion allegedly diverted from Kogi State funds during his tenure from 2016 to 2024.
The EFCC sought to re-examine Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School Abuja (AISA), to clarify issues surrounding Exhibit 19, an FCT High Court judgment admitted during the defence’s cross-examination. The document relates to advance payments of over $800,000 for Bello’s children’s tuition fees at AISA, which the EFCC alleges were funded by illicit proceeds. Ojehomon, the third prosecution witness, concluded his testimony on Friday after four days of hearings since March.
During cross-examination, the defence, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu, introduced the FCT High Court judgment—filed by Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, against AISA—to challenge the EFCC’s case. Despite the EFCC’s objection, trial judge Emeka Nwite admitted the document as Exhibit 19 on Thursday.
EFCC counsel Olukayode Eniola (SAN) argued for re-examination, stating it was necessary to address Exhibit 19, which surfaced during cross-examination and not in Ojehomon’s initial testimony. Eniola cited Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act and a Supreme Court precedent, asserting that fair hearing under Section 32 of the Nigerian Constitution entitled the prosecution to clarify the document’s implications. He accused the defence of tampering with the exhibit and spending over two hours on it during cross-examination.
The defence opposed the request, with Daudu arguing it would waste time and unfairly allow the prosecution a second chance after completing its initial examination. Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to June 26 for a ruling on the application, with further trial dates set for June 27, July 3, and July 4.
Bello also faces a related fraud case at the FCT High Court, while his nephew, Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to current Kogi Governor Usman Ododo, is being prosecuted in separate corruption cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Read More
