Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to June 26 and 27, and July 3 and 4, 2025.
The adjournment is to allow the court to rule on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to re-examine its third witness.
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Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N80.2 billion.
The charges contravene Section 18(a) and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
At the resumed hearing on Friday, EFCC counsel, Olukayode Eniola, requested leave of court to re-examine prosecution witness Nicholas Ojehomon, particularly on Exhibit 19, a document relating to the payment of school fees for the defendant’s children at the American International School, Abuja (AISA).
Eniola clarified that the re-examination was not a fresh examination-in-chief but a legal response to issues raised for the first time during cross-examination by the defence.
He alleged that the defence tampered with the document and used it extensively during cross-examination, warranting further clarification from the witness.
Citing Section 32 of the Constitution and Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act, Eniola maintained that the prosecution had a right to fair hearing and should not be denied the opportunity to address contentious issues arising from cross-examination.
He also referenced legal precedents, including Ameobi vs. Ameobi, where denial of re-examination was deemed a miscarriage of justice.
“The prosecution must not be shut out,” Eniola argued.
“Doing so would amount to injustice, especially as the defence introduced the document in question during the prosecution’s case.”
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The defence team, led by J.B. Daudu, SAN, objected to the request, prompting the judge to reserve ruling on the matter.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to June 26 and 27, and July 3 and 4 for ruling and further trial proceedings.
