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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.
The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 40% salary increase for university lecturers as part of a landmark renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ending an eight-year review process of the 2009 FGN-ASUU pact.
The agreement, concluded on December 23, 2025, was announced by ASUU in a circular dated December 24, 2025, describing it as a comprehensive framework aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s public university system.
Key highlights of the deal include:
– A 40% upward review of academic staff salaries under improved conditions of service.
– Reaffirmation of pension benefits, allowing professors to retire at age 70 with a pension equivalent to their final annual salary, subject to service requirements.
– Introduction of a tailored budgeting template to address universities’ specific funding needs.
– Provisions for enhanced university autonomy, academic freedom, and systemic reforms to curb brain drain and underfunding.
– Commitments to innovation, research funding through a proposed National Research Council, and duty-free imports for educational materials.
ASUU expressed optimism that the government would commence prompt implementation, with the new salary structure expected to take effect from January 1, 2026.
The breakthrough averts potential industrial action, following months of tense negotiations that began in 2017. Earlier reports in November and early December indicated the government’s proposal of the 40% increment as a key offer to resolve lingering disputes over withheld salaries, earned allowances, and revitalization funds.
Multiple outlets, including Politics Nigeria, The Star, Legit.ng, and The Guardian, confirmed the agreement, noting its potential to stabilize the tertiary education sector amid ongoing challenges like inflation and emigration of academics.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, viewing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing grievances in Nigeria’s public universities.
The Ministry of Education is yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate alignment with President Tinubu’s directive to avoid disruptions in the academic calendar.
Obinwanne Okeke, the Nigerian businessman popularly known as Invictus Obi, has been released from United States federal prison after serving approximately six years for his involvement in an $11 million internet fraud scheme, multiple reports confirmed on Thursday.
Records from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator indicate that Okeke is listed as “Not in BOP Custody as of: 12/23/2025,” signaling his exit from federal incarceration ahead of his original projected release date of September 3, 2028.
Okeke, 38, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2021 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges stemmed from a sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) scheme between 2015 and 2019, where he and associates used phishing tactics to divert funds, including a major interception targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, a UK-based exporter linked to Caterpillar Inc.
Prosecutors described the operation as causing “staggering losses of about $11 million” to victims through impersonation and computer hacking.
His early release is widely attributed to good conduct credits and provisions under the First Step Act, a U.S. criminal justice reform law that allows sentence reductions for certain non-violent offenders.
Reports from outlets including Linda Ikeji’s Blog, Peoples Gazette, and BusinessDay indicate that deportation proceedings to Nigeria are underway, consistent with his non-U.S. citizen status and the terms of his plea agreement. As his crimes were federal, a transfer to state custody is considered unlikely.
Once hailed as a rising star in African entrepreneurship, Okeke founded the Invictus Group, claiming investments in construction, agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunications, and real estate across Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.
In 2016, he was featured on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list, celebrated for his purported success story from humble beginnings.
His 2019 arrest by the FBI at Dulles International Airport as he attempted to leave the U.S. marked a dramatic fall, sparking widespread discussions on cybercrime, the allure of quick wealth, and scrutiny of young Nigerian entrepreneurs.
With his release, questions now focus on Okeke’s future: potential supervised release conditions in the U.S., his return to Nigeria, and any ongoing restrictions.
No official statement has been issued by U.S. authorities or Okeke’s representatives regarding the exact terms of his release.
The case continues to highlight global efforts to combat BEC scams, which remain a significant threat to businesses worldwide.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu celebrated Christmas Day with traditional courtesy visits in Lagos, including a stop at the residence of renowned philanthropist and business mogul Chief Kessington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu.
Later, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, paid a reciprocal visit to the President’s Lagos residence.
The outings underscore the President’s commitment to cultural ties, family traditions, and unity during the festive season, as he spends the Yuletide holidays in his home state.
See photos below:
Photos 1 & 2: President Bola.Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visit Chief Kessington Adebutu in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025
Photo 3: Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi visits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the President’s residence in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025
Photo 4: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at the President’s residence in Lagos. Thursday, December 25, 2025
The visits were highlighted on the official State House website and widely shared across media outlets, reflecting the warm exchanges among Nigeria’s leaders during the holidays.
President Tinubu, who arrived in Lagos earlier in December for the festive period, continues to blend rest with engagements honoring longstanding relationships.
University lecturers to Get 40% Salary Increase – Tinubu
Invictus Obi Released from U.S. Prison After Serving Time in $11 Million Fraud Case
President Tinubu Marks Christmas with Courtesy Visits in Lagos.
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