Judge Restrains EFCC From Re-Examining Witness in Yahaya Bello’s Trial, Warns Against Political Remarks
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, denied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to cross-examine its own witness in the high-profile money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the EFCC could not re-examine its third witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, unless it first declared him hostile, in accordance with legal procedures.
“I must agree with the learned counsel to the defendant that the prosecution can only cross-examine after it has declared the witness a hostile witness,” Justice Nwite ruled. He emphasized that while the court was not entirely preventing the EFCC from re-examining Ojehomon, it must limit its questions strictly to pages 1, 14, and 15 of Exhibit 19.
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The EFCC had sought to re-question Ojehomon—a senior internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja—after his testimony appeared to favour the defence. He told the court there was no record of funds being wired directly from the Kogi State Government or its local councils to the school. He also referenced a ruling from an FCT High Court, noting that it neither ordered a refund of school fees to the EFCC nor classified the money involved as criminal proceeds.
In a tense moment, EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called the case “a political case,” pointing out Yahaya Bello’s past presidential ambition. Justice Nwite swiftly rebuked the comment, stating: “Political? If that is the case, then those handling political cases should prepare to take over the matter.”
Further into the proceedings, the court admitted new financial evidence presented by a Zenith Bank compliance officer, Mshelia Arhyel Bata. Bata submitted certified statements from the Kogi State Government House Administration and six related accounts. He confirmed the documents included required certificates of identification.
Bata also clarified the cash withdrawal policy before the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless initiative. He noted that government accounts could withdraw up to ₦10 million per transaction via cheque. The prosecution pointed to a suspicious May 2016 transaction involving nine cash withdrawals of ₦10 million each, made in the name of Abdulsalami Hudu. Bata also revealed that ₦1.092 billion was deposited into the account on January 30, 2018, with a total of ₦1.968 billion withdrawn on multiple occasions.
When asked to explain the nature of these transactions, the defence interrupted, arguing they were related to constitutionally protected security votes—typically exempt from scrutiny.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Friday, June 27, for continued cross-examination by the defence team.
Yahaya Bello faces multiple charges linked to alleged financial mismanagement and money laundering during his tenure as Kogi State governor, in a trial that continues to draw significant public and political attention.
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