The trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, continued on Thursday, March 8, 2025, with the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the American International School, Abuja (AISA) retained a portion of school fees linked to Bello’s children as legitimate tuition earned by the institution.
According to investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a total of $845,852.84 — alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities — was paid to AISA for the education of Bello’s children. While the Commission demanded a full refund, the school returned $760,910.84.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Ojehomon, an auditor with AISA, explained that the refunded amount represented advance payments, while the retained $84,942 covered tuition already provided during the academic session.
“The $760,910.84 was the portion of the school fees paid in advance and refunded to the EFCC. The difference was the net fee due for the academic session, which the school retained as legitimate tuition,” he stated.
Ojehomon had earlier testified that all payments made to the school, whether by individuals or international entities, were exclusively for Bello’s children—Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello. He added that the decision to retain the balance was made by the school, with no directive from the EFCC to withhold any portion.
As cross-examination became contentious, prosecution counsel Olukayode Eniola, SAN, objected to what he described as speculative questioning, arguing that the witness should not be drawn into giving opinions beyond the scope of the documents.
“He is not standing trial and must be protected from speculative or prejudicial questioning,” Eniola said.
The defence subsequently sought an adjournment to review additional exhibits, prompting lead prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, to accuse the defence of deliberately stalling the proceedings.
“My lord, I’m concerned that witnesses are leaving their workplaces only not to testify. This is a case of high public interest. I have 28 witnesses and have only taken three,” Pinheiro noted.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Friday, May 9, 2025, for continuation of cross-examination, directing that all document reviews be concluded beforehand to avoid further delays.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello on a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion, in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
