Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial to June 26 for Ruling on EFCC’s Cross-Examination Request

By Hagxy Don 

In a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday adjourned the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to June 26, 2025. The adjournment came after heated arguments between prosecution and defence counsel over the legal standing of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to cross-examine its own witness.

The witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor with the American International School, Abuja (AISA), was undergoing cross-examination by the defence when a legal tussle erupted. Counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had grilled Ojehomon on whether he had testified in similar cases relating to the Bello family’s payment of school fees to AISA. The witness affirmed that he had done so, though he could not specify the exact courts. He also confirmed having testified in a related matter involving Ali Bello but maintained that at no point did he offer testimony that was detrimental to Yahaya Bello in either that case or the current one.

As the defence wrapped up its cross-examination, EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, sought to cross-examine the same witness on matters related to Exhibit 19—an action he insisted was necessary due to the document’s admission into evidence. Pinheiro clarified that he was not re-examining the witness, but rather seeking a fresh line of cross-examination based on the newly introduced exhibit.

However, Daudu swiftly objected, contending that the prosecution's move had no legal backing under the Evidence Act. He argued that such a cross-examination of one’s own witness after the defence had taken its turn was not only irregular but also contrary to established judicial procedure.

With both sides presenting their arguments, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to June 26 for a ruling on the propriety of the EFCC’s application. The courtroom tension underscores the complexity of the case, which has already attracted nationwide attention due to its high-profile nature and allegations involving financial mismanagement during Bello’s tenure.