The case involves a demand for the refund of $845,852 paid in advance for the ex-governor’s children’s education.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – A Federal High Court in Abuja will decide on May 8 whether to admit a judgment concerning the advance payment of school fees by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to the American International School, Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite set the date on Friday after hearing arguments in Bello’s ongoing trial for alleged money laundering.
The judgment in question, delivered by the FCT High Court, relates to suit number FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023 between Mr. Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School, Abuja.
The case involves a demand for the refund of $845,852 paid in advance for the ex-governor’s children’s education.
Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), attempted to introduce the judgment as evidence during the cross-examination of the EFCC’s third witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, a representative of the American International School.
However, EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the move, arguing that the prosecution had not yet closed its case. He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, stating that only a witness’s prior written statements could be introduced during cross-examination to challenge their testimony.
In response, Daudu maintained that the admissibility of documents in legal proceedings is determined solely by their relevance. He referenced Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Evidence Act, 2011, stating that once a document is relevant, it should be admitted as evidence.
The court will rule on the issue on May 8.