A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday admitted a prior judgment as evidence in the ongoing ₦110.4 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Justice Maryanne Anineh admitted the Certified True Copy of the judgment alongside a payment receipt during proceedings in Maitama.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
School Fees Payment Evidence Tendered
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, concluded examination-in-chief of the 14th prosecution witness, Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja.
Okehone confirmed awareness of a suit filed by Ali Bello against the school and identified the judgment tendered by the prosecution.
The court admitted the documents as Exhibits AY and AY2 without objection from defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, and Z.E. Abbas.
According to the witness, records showed that the sum of $569,864.12 was paid into the school’s account in an upfront arrangement to cover school fees up to graduation.
He clarified that while Ali Bello was listed as claimant in the suit, “from our record, Yahaya Adoza Bello is the father of the four children” referenced in the documents.
Defence Cross-Examines Witness
Under cross-examination, Okehone confirmed he had served as an internal auditor of the school for eight to nine years but did not represent the institution in the suit.
He also stated that his role did not involve direct interaction with students.
Following cross-examination and no re-examination, the court discharged the witness.
Prosecution Seeks to Halt Jurisdiction Challenge
The prosecution urged the court to suspend hearing of a pending application challenging its jurisdiction, arguing that such objections should not interrupt criminal trials.
Pinheiro cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, including Sections 111, 221 and 396, stressing that interlocutory objections should be addressed at the final judgment stage.
He argued that allowing such applications mid-trial would delay proceedings that had already progressed significantly.
Defence counsel, however, opposed the request, relying on legal authorities including Shema vs FRN (2019) to argue that the application was valid.
Justice Anineh adjourned the matter until May 8, 2026, for ruling and continuation of trial.
How Ali Bello Routed Funds Through BDC
In a related case before a Federal High Court in Abuja, a prosecution witness alleged that Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, used Bureau De Change operators to channel funds to associates..
The witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, testified before Justice James Omotosho as the 17th prosecution witness.
Funds Allegedly Routed Through Cronies
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness told the court that Ali Bello admitted to directing inflows and outflows of funds through BDC operators in his extra-judicial statement.
He said the funds were used for the benefit of both Ali Bello and former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.
“The utilisation of the funds in the BDC were carried out by the instruction of the first defendant… most of them are cronies,” the witness said.
He listed several alleged beneficiaries and transactions, including payments for properties, automobile purchases, and transfers linked to individuals and organisations.
Trial Continues
The court adjourned the case to May 6, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman on an amended 16-count charge involving alleged misappropriation and money laundering of over ₦10.27 billion
