Court to Decide on Admissibility of School Fees Documents in Yahaya Bello’s ₦80.2 Billion Fraud Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 8 to rule on whether to admit a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court judgment concerning the school fees payment dispute in the fraud case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello, who is facing an ₦80.2 billion fraud trial brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is seeking to submit a judgment involving Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of American International School as part of his defense.
Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the document was crucial to clarifying the payment or refund of school fees, making it relevant to the case. He also sought to submit receipts for the re-certification of the judgment.
However, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Phinero (SAN), opposed the request, stating that the prosecution had not yet closed its case. He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, arguing that the defense cannot introduce documents while the prosecution is still presenting its case.
Daudu countered, stating that relevance determines admissibility in criminal or civil cases, as outlined in Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Evidence Act, 2011. He insisted that the judgment is crucial to the case and should be admitted as evidence.
Justice Emeka Nwite stated that a ruling on the document’s admissibility would be delivered on May 8, followed by the continuation of the trial on May 9.
During the hearing, witness Nicholas Ohehomon identified financial transactions linked to Forza Oil and Gas and Whales Oil and Gas, which allegedly paid for school fees. The EFCC presented bank telexes as evidence, showing payments made for four of the former governor’s children.
The defense attempted to challenge the prosecution’s evidence but had to pause cross-examination as the judge adjourned for the ruling on the document’s admissibility.
The trial will resume next month as the court decides the next steps in the high-profile fraud case.