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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.
News
G-24: Nigeria takes over leadership, promises global economic reforms
This was disclosed in a post by the Central Bank of Nigeria on its official X handle on Wednesday.

• CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and others during the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four annual meeting. Photo: CBN
Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four.
The federal government has pledged to amplify the voices of developing nations and drive inclusive global economic reforms when it formally takes office on November 1, 2025.
This was disclosed in a post by the Central Bank of Nigeria on its official X handle on Wednesday.
The G-24 which was formed in 1971, brings together developing nations to forge common positions on global monetary policy and development financing, ensuring their collective voice is heard in international economic decision-making.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the voice of the G-24 as a catalyst for inclusive dialogue and reform.
Cardoso stated, “Our focus will be on sustaining momentum in areas that matter most to our members. We look forward to working with members to advance our shared mission of inclusive growth, equity, and global stability.
“We are determined to ensure that the G-24 continues to be a formidable platform for representing the common interests of emerging and developing economies,”said Cardoso.
News
Ejiro Umukoro Emerges Regional Winner at the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025

The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) 2025 has unveiled the regional finalists from a staggering 106 entries, showcasing the best of Nigeria’s emerging literary talent.

Among the standout authors is Ejiro Umukoro, whose thought-provoking novel, “The Distortion of Hardassah,” has been selected as the South South regional finalist.
This prestigious recognition is a testament to Umukoro’s exceptional storytelling skills and solidifies her position as a rising star in African literature.
“The Distortion of Hardassah” is a gripping narrative that follows the journey of eleven young adults across Nigeria as they navigate the complexities of identity, acceptance, and opportunity.
Umukoro’s debut novel, “Distortion,” was a groundbreaking fiction mental health true crime novel that garnered widespread critical acclaim.

The book’s impact extends beyond the literary world, having been approved by the Ministry of Education, Delta State, as a literature textbook for secondary schools.
It was also selected as the Book of Discussion on World Press Freedom Day by the United States Agency for Global Media in 2024.
The novel’s influence is evident in its selection for the Lagos Arts and Book Festival’s CORA Book Trek, which aims to promote literacy and a love of reading among secondary school students.
“Distortion” has received glowing reviews from prominent media outlets, including BusinessDay, News Central, Arise News, TVC, Trust TV, and The Guardian, with mention by the Pulitzer Centre.
Jerry Adesewo, representing TYBLI, congratulated the regional finalists, saying, “We are delighted to announce the regional finalists of the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025.
We received an overwhelming response from talented writers across the country, and the quality of submissions was exceptional.”
Umukoro expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This literary honour is indeed an exciting news to wrap the year. It gives me great joy to be selected on the longlist of Young Adult Literature Price (YALP) 2025.”
The regional winners will receive a cash prize of N500,000 each, with the overall winner taking home a whopping N1,500,000 and a publishing deal.
The YALP 2025 competition aims to encourage young adult writers to keep writing, learning, and dreaming, providing a platform for emerging writers to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the literary world.
The other regional finalists include:
- Ikemefuna Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu – Garden of Garget (South East)
- Sarah Yousuph – When the Road Curves (South West)
- Adoo Gyuur – Daughters of Ashes (North Central)
- Daniel Yohanna – A Boy From Far North (North East)
- Yusrah Bashir Gaga – My Darkest Nightmares (North West)
The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) is an annual literary competition that recognizes and celebrates outstanding young adult writers in Nigeria, promoting creative writing, encouraging literary excellence, and providing a platform for emerging writers to gain recognition.
News
Tinubu Sends Amupitan’s Name to Senate for INEC Chair Confirmation

President Bola Tinubu has officially requested the Senate to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The letter of request was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, alongside other presidential appointments.
The request aligns with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, and Akpabio has forwarded it to the committee of the whole for prompt legislative action.
In a separate letter, President Tinubu also sought Senate confirmation for Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission and 28 other Federal Commissioners, including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State.
Professor Amupitan’s appointment was unanimously approved by the National Council of State during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last Thursday.
He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his 10-year tenure in October 2025.
Tinubu highlighted that Amupitan, a 58-year-old law professor from Kogi State, is the first nominee from the North-Central region to be put forward for the INEC chairmanship.
“In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu has sent Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening,” said Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga in a statement.
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