ABUJA – A Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony Friday that funds from international companies were used to pay school fees for the children of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, at the American International School Abuja (AISA).

Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at AISA, testified before Justice Emeka Nwite that all payments made to the school, including those originating from foreign firms, were exclusively for the benefit of Bello’s children.

Led by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Ojehomon detailed a series of financial transactions, referencing numerous exhibits that documented the payments. He confirmed that funds were transferred to AISA on behalf of Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello through various companies.

The court was presented with evidence showing payments made by companies such as Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Alyeshua Provision Services, and Unnaki General Trading Limited. 1 Notably, transfers from Ugandan entities, Dada Grant Merchant Limited and Manzi Issa, were also highlighted.  

For example, Ojehomon identified bank tellers showing payments such as $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas for Zara Omoneke Bello, and $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited for Fatima Bello, referencing “Fatima Edu Support.” He confirmed that the receipts issued by AISA corresponded to the names of Yahaya Bello’s four children.

“From the record of AISA, the parent of the names mentioned is Yahaya Bello,” Ojehomon stated. He further confirmed that none of the receipts were issued in the names of the companies that made the payments.

During cross-examination, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, attempted to introduce certified true copies of receipts and rectification documents from a separate civil suit. However, Pinheiro objected, arguing that these documents were not admissible at this stage of the criminal trial.

Pinheiro cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, emphasizing that only previous written statements by the witness could be used for contradiction during cross-examination. Daudu countered, arguing the documents’ relevance under Section 4 of the Evidence Act.

Justice Nwite reserved his ruling on the admissibility of the documents until the next hearing. The trial was adjourned to May 8 and 9, 2025, for further proceedings.