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Yahaya Bello Vs EFCC: Court Adjourns Ruling and Continuation of Trials to June 26 , 27 and July 4 and 5
You cannot cross examine him based on the document,” Daudu SAN argued. Enitan SAN added that he had the right to draw the attention of the court to some specific paragraphs in the document.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the alleged money laundering case instituted against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to June 26, 27 and July 4 and 5 for ruling on the request by the prosecution to “cross-examine” the 3rd witness and for continuation of trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the hearing after listening to addresses by the prosecution and defence counsels on the Prosecution’s move to initially cross-examine the witness, a position that was rejected by the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
When the matter was called for continuation of cross-examination, the Defendant’s counsel asked the witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, whether he had testified in other courts with respect to the issue of school fees paid by the Bello family to AISA, he said yes.
But the witness, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja, said he could not mention the exact courts.
He admitted testifying in a similar charge involving Ali Bello but added that he never said anything adversely against former Governor Yahaya Bello just as he had not said anything negative or adversely against him in the instant charge.
After Daudu SAN concluded the cross-examination of the witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, the EFCC’s lawyer, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, moved to also cross-examine the Commission’s witness on Exhibit 19.
He told the court that he was not re-examining the EFCC’s witness, but cross-examining him because the document was admitted in evidence.
“I am not re-examining him, I am cross-examining him because they brought this document,” he said.
The Defendant’s lawyer, however, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the prosecution counsel’s position was unknown to law, in line with the Evidence Act.
“If you want to cross-examine your own witness, you have to first declare him a hostile witness. You cannot cross examine him based on the document,” Daudu SAN argued. Enitan SAN added that he had the right to draw the attention of the court to some specific paragraphs in the document.
At this point, the judge asked: “Do you have any provision of the law to support this?””I will draw your lordship attention to Section 36 of the Constitution.
They sought to tender this document, we objected and the court granted their prayer. Fair hearing demands that the complainant too has the right to examine this because Section 36 of the Constitution talks of fair hearing,”
Enitan responded. “We are not saying that they cannot re-examine the witness. That is what Section 36 under the law says about fair hearing. But if it is to cross-examine him, he will have to show us the law that backs that.
“He cannot come under the guise of fair hearing to want to cross-examine the witness,” the Defendant’s lawyer maintained. The judge, at the end of the arguments, refused to allow cross-examination of the witness by the EFCC lawyer.”
Under the procedure, the witness gives evidence in chief and the defendant cross examines, then the prosecution re-examines.
“With due respect, what I will do is if you people are so skewed to continue with this, it is better to address me on this and I will take a position,” he stated.
At this point, the prosecution counsel agreed to re-examine the EFCC’s witness and the judge gave him the go-ahead.”You can re-examine him on that but not to ask questions that will show cross examination,” Justice Nwite said.
However, when the prosecution lawyer proceeded to re-examine the witness, and his questions pointed at cross-examination, as observed by Daudu SAN, the judge insisted that the parties had to address him on the specific issue.
The Defendant’s Counsel, in his address, maintained that the position was unknown to law.
“My lord, the procedure that is being sought by the prosecution by refering the witness to the document tender in Exhibit 19 and by asking him to read paragraph 1, without drawing his attention to the issue on how the document affected his evidence in chief, the question asked in cross-examination, and the ambiguity, which needs clarification, amounts to a strange and unknown procedure not covered by the Evidence Act,” he stated.
Enitan SAN, disagreed, saying that in the case of Amobi Amobi referred to by the defendant’s counsel, the Supreme Court held that the learned trial judge ought to have allowed a re-examination of Exhibit E.
He said when the defendant sought to introduce the document, the prosecution team “submitted that this document was not made by the witness and as such, he should not be allowed to speak to it under cross examination or allowed to be confronted with it.”
“Having brought it in now, during the case of the prosecution, particularly during the cross examination of PW-3, your lordship should not allow them to shut us out as that would amount to the court allowing them to blow hot and cold,” Pinheiro SAN said.
Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned to June 26, 27 and July 4 and 5 for ruling and continuation of trial.
The 3rd prosecution witness had, at the last hearing on Thursday, said there was no wired transfer of fees from the Kogi State Government or any of the local Governments in the state to the account of the American International School, Abuja.
He also read out a part of a previous Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that said there was no court order for AISA to return fees to EFCC or any judgment declaring the money as proceeds of money laundering.
Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Army, Navy, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the State security outfit (Agunechemba), has vowed to eliminate the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.
They made the vowed during this year 2026 commemoration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Federal Secretariat hall in Awka, on Friday, June 26th, 2026.
The global event, annually observed on June 26 and declared by the United Nations, is aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and promoting collective action towards a drug-free society.
The 2026 edition of the global observance with the theme – “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Responses,” brought together the above mentioned agencies io brainstorm on the ills of the menace.
The NDLEA State Commander, Mr Charles Onubogu, in his welcome address said the campaign focused on combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, law enforcement and partnership with relevant stakeholders including community leaders.
According to him, this year’s theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” is a call for us all to rethink our roles and a reminder that drug abuse is a shared challenge that requires a unified response.
News
Sanwo-Olu Addresses PSP Operator’s Challenges , Announces Measures to Boost Waste Management (Photos)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has acknowledged the operational and logistical challenges facing Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators, assuring that the state government is taking steps to improve their capacity and ensure efficient waste evacuation across Lagos.
Speaking during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the governor said the government understands the difficulties faced by PSP operators, particularly with equipment and operational needs.
He said efforts are underway to strengthen waste management through the procurement of additional compactor trucks, with about 150 new trucks approved and expected to be delivered within the next three months.
Sanwo-Olu added that smaller compactor trucks are also being acquired in collaboration with local governments to access inner streets and narrow roads, while some of the trucks will be assembled locally to boost waste collection.
The governor also urged residents to support waste management efforts by paying their waste bills promptly, noting that PSP operators require payment for services provided to sustain their operations.
He stressed that waste management is a collective responsibility involving government, service providers, businesses and residents.
Sanwo-Olu said the last Saturday of every month remains dedicated to environmental sanitation as part of efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
He added that young people and schoolchildren are being involved in the exercise to help build a culture of cleanliness and encourage environmental responsibility.
The governor further disclosed that the state is developing a modern Material Recovery Facility and recycling plant in partnership with ZoomLion, which is expected to process over 4,250 metric tonnes of waste daily when completed.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu issued a final warning to illegal occupants and traders along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
He said a comprehensive clearance operation will begin next week from Alaba through Okokomaiko and other parts of the corridor.
The governor warned that illegal structures, makeshift stalls and encroachments on road medians will be removed as the government moves to restore the highway and enforce environmental laws.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the immediate release of Nura Idris, a herder and farmer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was wrongfully detained over alleged links to Boko Haram terrorists.
Idris was cleared after a thorough review by a DSS investigation panel, which found no evidence to support the allegations against him. In addition to his release, the DSS chief approved N3 million in monetary compensation to support his immediate needs and pledged further assistance to help him restart his livestock and farming business — a standard practice under the current leadership.
According to security sources, Idris was arrested in June 2024 by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, and subsequently transferred to DSS custody. Following the panel’s findings, the DSS Director-General directed his prompt release and compensation.
Upon receiving the payment, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS boss. “I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” he said.
His father, Yusuf Idris, who received him upon release, also commended the DSS for its compassion. He assured that the compensation would be used productively to rebuild the family’s livelihood.
The release forms part of an ongoing internal review exercise initiated by the DSS last year to re-examine prolonged and inherited cases, with the aim of ensuring that individuals erroneously detained are not left in custody indefinitely.
“When such cases are recorded, the DSS would usually follow up with the detainee, provide psychological and medical support, after which the Agency would further set up any business of the victim’s choice,” a source disclosed.
The exercise has reinforced the Service’s reputation for institutional integrity. “The setting free and compensations across multiple cases underscores the DSS’s growing reputation for institutional integrity and humanness,” the source added.
“The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security and citizens must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens,” the source further stated.
Other Notable Cases
The DSS has handled several similar high-profile reviews. In one case, Sunday Ifedi and his wife Calista were arrested in November 2021 and detained for alleged ties to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sunday was released in December 2025 after a review ordered by the current DG cleared him. He received N10 million in compensation, and the Service is planning to rebuild a restaurant in memory of his late wife, who died in custody.
In October 2025, the DSS released Abuja-based businesswoman Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe with N10 million compensation. Shortly after, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor (arrested in 2022) and five other individuals linked to IPOB were freed, each receiving initial N2 million payments.
Last month, a Yobe State resident, Ya’u Mohammed, was also released with N2 million in support after being cleared of terrorism connections.
The source noted that over thirty cases have been reviewed, with more than N300 million paid in compensation. “There are many more instances where DSS investigations have established innocence and have been followed by efforts to facilitate reintegration,” the source said. “These are the kind of measures the DSS is using to build public trust.”
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