Court Rejects EFCC’s Objection in Yahaya Bello’s Trial
FCT Court Judgment Admitted as Exhibit 19 in Ongoing Money Laundering Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an objection by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The court allowed a certified judgment from another court to be admitted as evidence, marking a key moment in the high-profile case.
Bello’s Legal Team Seeks to Tender FCT High Court Judgment
Yahaya Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, brought forward a certified true copy of a judgment from the FCT High Court. The suit, FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023, was between Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of American International School (AISA).
The document was submitted during the testimony of Nicholas Ojehomon, the EFCC’s third witness and an internal auditor with AISA. Daudu argued that the judgment directly related to the facts being discussed in the money laundering case.
EFCC Objects, Claims Defence Acted Too Early
EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, opposed the move. He argued that the prosecution had not finished presenting its case, and that admitting the document at this stage was premature.
Daudu disagreed. He maintained that the document was both relevant and legally admissible under Sections 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act, which allow certified public documents in court.
Judge Rules EFCC’s Objection Was Premature
Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the EFCC’s argument. He ruled that the law does not prevent the defence from tendering documents during cross-examination, especially when they are court judgments.
He stated that, “The admissibility of documents is guided by whether the facts are pleaded, whether the document is relevant, and whether the law allows it.” According to him, Bello’s team met all three conditions.
The judge noted that courts now focus on substantial justice instead of technicalities. He emphasized that lawyers must avoid blocking the truth through unnecessary legal hurdles.
Judgment Admitted as Exhibit 19
Justice Nwite officially admitted the judgment as evidence and marked it Exhibit 19. He stressed that the document was clearly relevant to the issues before the court.
He concluded that the EFCC’s objection was “preemptive and without legal merit.” The defence, he said, had every right to present the judgment when it did.
EFCC Requests Change of Date
After the ruling, EFCC lawyers asked for a new hearing date, saying they were not available to continue on Thursday. The court granted the request. A new date will be announced for the continuation of the trial.
Background and Implications
The EFCC accuses Yahaya Bello of laundering several billion naira during his tenure as Kogi governor. Bello denies all allegations. This case is one of several high-profile corruption cases the commission is prosecuting.
Legal observers say this ruling strengthens the defence’s position. Admitting the previous judgment may help Bello’s legal team disprove some of the EFCC’s claims.
The trial continues, and many Nigerians are watching closely. The outcome could influence future anti-corruption cases involving former public officials.
