Federal High Court Overrules EFCC’s Objection to Admissibility of Judgment Document

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) objection to the admissibility of a Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment in a money laundering case against Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State.

The judgment, which was tendered by the defense team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), relates to a suit between Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School.

The EFCC had argued that Bello laundered Kogi State’s money and used part of it to pay for his children’s tuition at the American International School Abuja.

However, the defense team urged the court to admit the judgment into evidence, citing its relevance to the case.

The EFCC objected, arguing that the trial was a criminal trial and the defendant could not tender documents when the prosecution had not closed its case.

In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that the issue of tendering documents was governed by law and that the court was inclined to agree with the defense counsel. He held that the objection of the prosecution was preemptive and overruled it, allowing the judgment to be admitted into evidence.

The court then proceeded with the trial, with the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja, testifying.

During cross-examination, Ojehomon stated that there was no wired transfer of fees from the Kogi State Government or any local government in the state to the account of the American International School, Abuja.

The defense team also presented Exhibit 19, the FCT Court judgment, which stated that there was no court order for the school to return the money to the EFCC or any judgment declaring the money as proceeds of money laundering.

The judgment also held that the American International School had a binding contract with the Bello family on future fee payments and could not derogate from it.

The court adjourned the matter to May 9, 2025, for continuation of the trial.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion brought against him by the EFCC.