A Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 8, 2025, as the date for ruling on whether to admit a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court regarding the payment of school fees in the ongoing fraud case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Bello, who is facing an ₦80.2 billion fraud case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sought to tender the FCT High Court judgment as evidence. His counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the document, which ruled on the issue of school fees payment or refund, is relevant to the case.
The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Phinero (SAN), opposed the move, stating that the prosecution had not yet closed its case and that the defense could not tender documents at this stage, citing Section 232 of the Evidence Act.
Daudu countered that admissibility is determined strictly by relevance, emphasizing that once a document is relevant, it should be accepted in court. He referenced Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Evidence Act, arguing that the ruling in question upheld the fee agreement.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, stated that a ruling on the admissibility of the document would be given on May 8, with the trial continuing the following day.
During the proceedings, the EFCC presented banking evidence linking school fee payments to companies allegedly connected to the former governor. Witness Nicholas Ohehomon identified several financial transactions, including transfers made by Forza Oil and Gas and Whales Oil and Gas to the American International School in Abuja on behalf of Bello’s children.
