Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed May 8 to rule on the admissibility of an FCT High Court judgment in the case involving Ali Bello and the American International School. This ruling is a key development in the ongoing EFCC case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud scandal.
Court to Decide on School Fee Payment Case
During the trial, Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to Yahaya Bello, sought to submit a judgment that addressed the issue of school fee payments. He argued that the document was critical to the case and should be admitted as evidence. The defense also attempted to submit receipts confirming the re-certification of the documents.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Phinero (SAN) objected. She argued that the prosecution had not yet closed its case and that the defense could not introduce new documents at this stage. Phinero cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, insisting that the timing of the submission was inappropriate.
EFCC Opposes Admission of Key Documents
Daudu countered that the admissibility of any document in a criminal trial is determined by its relevance. Quoting Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Evidence Act 2011, he said, “Once a document is relevant, it becomes automatically admissible.”
He also pointed out that the judgment involved American International School Abuja, a party in the case, and that witness Nicholas Ohehomon represented the school. He criticized the prosecution’s objection, calling it speculative.
“The prosecution does not even know how we plan to use the document, yet they oppose its admission,” Daudu stated.
Justice Nwite postponed the ruling on the document’s admissibility to May 8. The trial will continue on May 9, with cross-examinations expected to resume.
Earlier, the EFCC presented banking evidence, including telex transfers and payment receipts allegedly used to pay for school fees in dollars. Witnesses confirmed the transactions, stating that funds originated from accounts linked to Forza Oil and Gas and Whales Oil and Gas.
As the trial progresses, both sides remain firm in their arguments. The EFCC insists that the payments were made using fraudulently acquired funds, while the defense argues that the transactions were legitimate.
The upcoming ruling will determine whether the FCT High Court judgment becomes part of the case record, potentially influencing the final verdict in Yahaya Bello’s corruption trial.
