Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has admitted a previous High Court judgment as evidence in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud involving criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Key Highlights
•Court admits prior High Court judgment as evidence in Bello trial
•EFCC prosecuting Yahaya Bello and two others over ₦110.4bn fraud
•Witness confirms $569,864 paid as school fees to Abuja-based institution
•Defence raises jurisdiction challenge as prosecution seeks trial continuation
•Court adjourns proceedings to May 8, 2026, for ruling and continuation
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he was concluding the examination of the 14th prosecution witness, Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja.
Pinheiro urged the court to defer pending applications, including a challenge to jurisdiction, to allow uninterrupted progress in the trial.
During his testimony, the witness confirmed awareness of a suit filed by Ali Bello against the American International School and the judgment delivered in the matter. The prosecution subsequently tendered a Certified True Copy of the judgment in Suit No. FCT/ST/CB/6574/2023, along with a payment receipt.
Defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, and Z.E. Abbas, did not object to the documents, which were admitted by the court as Exhibits AY and AY2.
While being led in evidence, Okehone identified Ali Bello as the claimant in the suit and father of a prospective student, Zayyan Ali Bello. He clarified, however, that records showed Yahaya Adoza Bello as the father of four other children referenced in the documents.
The witness further disclosed that arrangements had been made for upfront payment of school fees up to graduation, with a total sum of $569,864.12 reportedly paid into the school’s account domiciled with TD Bank.
Under cross-examination, Okehone stated that the American International School is located in the Durumi District of Abuja and that he had served as an internal auditor for about eight to nine years. He added that his duties did not involve direct interaction with students or representation of the school in the referenced suit.
Following cross-examination, the witness was discharged.
The prosecution later filed an application dated October 7, 2025, seeking to suspend hearing of the first defendant’s motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Arguing the application, Pinheiro cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the need for uninterrupted criminal proceedings. He maintained that objections raised after arraignment should be addressed during final arguments rather than delaying trial progress.
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He also argued that interlocutory applications should not disrupt criminal trials, noting that the case, which commenced in 2014, had reached an advanced stage with multiple witnesses already heard.
In response, defence counsel Daudu opposed the application, relying on legal precedent to argue that the jurisdictional challenge remained valid.
Pinheiro, however, countered that the cited authority did not adequately reflect current provisions of the law and had been overtaken by more recent appellate decisions.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until May 8, 2026, for ruling on the application and continuation of trial.
