An internal auditor from the American International School, Abuja (AISA), on Thursday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that there was no record of any direct payment from the Kogi State Government or its local councils to the school’s account.
The revelation came during cross-examination in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged financial misconduct. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had brought the charges against the ex-governor.
Testifying as the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, who serves as an internal auditor at AISA, admitted under questioning by defense counsel, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), that no transaction documents reflected any payment from Bello or listed his name.
During the proceedings, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled against the EFCC’s objection and admitted a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory High Court (Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023) into evidence. The judgment, which favoured the Bello family regarding disputed fee payments, was marked as Exhibit 19.
EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had opposed the document’s inclusion, arguing it was inappropriate for the defense to present such material while the prosecution had not concluded its case. Justice Nwite, however, overruled the objection, stressing that admissibility is based on relevance and legal standards, not procedural timing.
When Ojehomon was directed to reference the judgment during cross-examination, EFCC counsel objected, arguing the witness lacked the legal expertise to interpret court decisions. The judge dismissed the objection and allowed the defense to continue.
The witness then confirmed the judgment stated that no court order had been issued directing the school to refund any money to the EFCC, nor had the funds been declared proceeds of crime. The court had also affirmed that the payments were part of a binding agreement between AISA and the Bello family, and could only be reversed by court order.
Furthermore, Ojehomon acknowledged that the $760,910 payment in question did not mention Yahaya Bello by name, and that the financial documents did not show any transfers originating from the Kogi State Government or any local government in the state.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Friday, May 9, 2025, for further hearing.
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