The curtains of the money laundering and financial mismanagement trial involving the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, unfolded an interesting turn on Thursday, as the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, admitted during cross-examination that there was no wire transfer of funds from the Kogi State Government or any local governments within the state to the American International School (AISA) in Abuja.
Kogi Government's Funds Transfer Allegation Against Yahaya Bello: Witness in EFCC Case Acknowledges No Money Transactions
Ojehomon, serving as the internal auditor at AISA, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja during the trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had earlier accused Bello of diverting public funds, including a payment of $760,910, to AISA.
However, Ojehomon's statements substantially contradicted the prosecution's claims, laying bare the fact that no official transactions from the state government were involved in the payment. The focus of the testimony revolved around the alleged transfer of the $760,910, thought to be linked to Bello.
Exhibit 19, a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, was presented during the trial. This judgment has already ruled on the matter, stating unequivocally that AISA was under no obligation to refund the money to the EFCC or to declare it proceeds of money laundering.
When under cross-examination from the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ojehomon admitted unambiguously that no wire transfer had originated from the Kogi State Government or its local governments.
"No, there is no such name," Ojehomon responded when asked if the Kogi State Government was listed in the payment records.
Considering the ongoing debate regarding document admissibility, the EFCC had initially objected to the admission of the FCT Court judgment. However, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled against the objection, emphasizing the principle of relevance.
"The document sought to be tendered is hereby marked as Exhibit 19," the judge declared. The court now focuses on achieving substantial justice rather than on technicalities.
As the case progresses, Ojehomon read out sections of the judgment, which supported AISA's claim of having a binding contract with the Bello family for future school fee payments and its inability to disburse funds without a court order.
Throughout the proceedings, the defense, led by Daudu, has been working diligently to counter the prosecution's storyline. Daudu argued that the EFCC's allegations based on the funds' origin lack solid factual evidence.
"My lord, what I am saying is that I should be allowed to conduct my case because it may be devastating to my case if I am not allowed to," Daudu expressed, pointing out that the judgment had already been approved by the court.
In response to the EFCC's objections, Daudu asserted his right to present the defense's case as he saw fit. The judge ruled in favor of the defense, allowing Ojehomon to read and discuss the judgment, crucial to the defense's argument.
The trial is set to continue, with the next court date scheduled for May 9, 2025, for further proceedings and continued cross-examination of Ojehomon. The pivotal issue remains whether the funds were properly allocated and whether they constitute the proceeds of money laundering.
Stay tuned for more updates on this case!
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- The former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is currently on trial for money laundering and financial mismanagement, with the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, testifying in the Federal High Court in Abuja.
- Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School (AISA) in Abuja, has admitted that there was no wire transfer of funds from the Kogi State Government or any local governments within the state to AISA, contradicting the prosecution's claims.
- Despite the EFCC's objections, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled in favor of admissibility for Exhibit 19, a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which stated that AISA was under no obligation to refund the money to the EFCC or to declare it as proceeds of money laundering.
- Ojehomon's testimony focused on the alleged transfer of $760,910, which is thought to be linked to Bello, but he admitted unambiguously that no wire transfer had originated from the Kogi State Government or its local governments.
- The defense, led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), has been working diligently to counter the prosecution's storyline, arguing that the EFCC's allegations based on the funds' origin lack solid factual evidence.
- AISA's claim of having a binding contract with the Bello family for future school fee payments and its inability to disburse funds without a court order was supported by sections of the judgment that Ojehomon read out during the trial.
- The trial will continue with further proceedings and continued cross-examination of Ojehomon, scheduled for May 9, 2025, as the pivotal issue remains whether the funds were properly allocated and whether they constitute the proceeds of money laundering.
