• About us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, June 29, 2025
  • Login
NewsPeg Magazine logo
  • Home
  • News
    • World
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • World
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
No Result
View All Result
NewsPeg Magazine logo
No Result
View All Result
Home EFCC

Yahaya Bello’s Trial: Witness Defends $84,942 Retained by School as Legitimate Tuition

Admin by Admin
May 9, 2025
in EFCC
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

By Nkechi Eze

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, resumed on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, explained why the American International School, Abuja (AISA), did not fully refund the $845,852.84 paid as school fees for Bello’s children.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Ojehomon—an auditor at the school—clarified that AISA withheld $84,942 of the amount because it represented tuition already earned during the academic session. He stated that the school returned $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which covered fees paid in advance, while the balance was retained as payment for services rendered.

“The $760,910.84 was the portion of the school fees paid in advance, and it was refunded to the EFCC. The difference was the net fee due for the academic session, which the school retained as legitimate tuition,” Ojehomon told the court.

Earlier in the trial, Ojehomon had testified that all payments made to AISA—whether from private individuals or international sources—were for the exclusive benefit of Bello’s children: Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello. He also confirmed that the decision to retain the balance was based on the school’s internal billing policy and not due to any directive from the EFCC.

The proceedings became tense as the defence’s line of questioning drifted, prompting prosecution counsel Olukayode Eniola, SAN, to object, warning that the witness was being pressed to offer opinions beyond the documented evidence. “He is not standing trial and must be protected from speculative or prejudicial questioning,” Eniola argued.

The defence team subsequently requested an adjournment or a stand-down to review the next exhibit. This drew criticism from lead prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who accused the defence of trying to delay the case. He expressed concern over the wasted time and effort of prosecution witnesses. “This is a case of high public interest. I have 28 witnesses and have only taken three,” he noted.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to Friday, May 9, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination and instructed that both parties complete all necessary document reviews to prevent further delays.

Yahaya Bello is facing 19 charges brought by the EFCC, involving alleged money laundering and criminal breach of trust amounting to N80.2 billion. The charges fall under Section 18(a) and are punishable by Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

NAF Commissions Key Infrastructure Projects in Benin to Boost Personnel Welfare, Readiness

Next Post

Future Leaders Must Shun Corruption, Embrace Discipline—EFCC Warns

Admin

Admin

Related Posts

Court Convicts 14 Chinese Nationals for Cyberterrorism and Internet Fraud in Lagos
EFCC

Court Convicts 14 Chinese Nationals for Cyberterrorism and Internet Fraud in Lagos

June 27, 2025
EFCC Launches Integrity Clubs in 57 Lagos Schools to Curb Early Corruption Tendencies
EFCC

EFCC Launches Integrity Clubs in 57 Lagos Schools to Curb Early Corruption Tendencies

June 27, 2025
Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: EFCC Presents More Evidence Against Mamman in Trial-Within-Trial
EFCC

₦80.2bn Fraud: EFCC Opposes Yahaya Bello’s Application to Travel Abroad for Medical Treatment

June 27, 2025
Next Post

Future Leaders Must Shun Corruption, Embrace Discipline—EFCC Warns

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Editor's Choice

Nigeria Assumes Global Customs Leadership as CGC Adeniyi Elected Chairperson of WCO Council

Nigeria Assumes Global Customs Leadership as CGC Adeniyi Elected Chairperson of WCO Council

June 28, 2025
Nigeria Customs Expands Global Reach with New Strategic Partnership Agreement with Belarus

Nigeria Customs Expands Global Reach with New Strategic Partnership Agreement with Belarus

June 28, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
NIMC Trains Corps Members for Nationwide NIN Ward Enrollment Initiative

NIMC Trains Corps Members for Nationwide NIN Ward Enrollment Initiative

June 24, 2025

NAVY CAPTAIN A. MNGUVE UNVEILS THREE INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS IN LITERARY TRIUMPH

May 7, 2025

DICON-D7G Nigeria Limited Board Inaugurated to Enhance National Security and Self-Reliance

March 19, 2025

Coalition Dismisses Arrest Warrant Claim Against Aisha Achimugu

March 18, 2025

MEDIA FOUNDATION SEEKS UPGRADED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

4

Easter/Eid-el-Fitr: FRSC Records Massive Reduction in Road Crashes.

2
GSAI TRAINS JOURNALISTS TO INTENSIFY ENGAGEMENTS REVOLVING AROUND INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

GSAI TRAINS JOURNALISTS TO INTENSIFY ENGAGEMENTS REVOLVING AROUND INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

2

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S POOR REMUNERATIONS, IT’S EFFECTS ON HOUSEHOLD.  LACK OF INCLUSIVE LABOUR LAWS?

2
Nigeria Assumes Global Customs Leadership as CGC Adeniyi Elected Chairperson of WCO Council

Nigeria Assumes Global Customs Leadership as CGC Adeniyi Elected Chairperson of WCO Council

June 28, 2025
Nigeria Customs Expands Global Reach with New Strategic Partnership Agreement with Belarus

Nigeria Customs Expands Global Reach with New Strategic Partnership Agreement with Belarus

June 28, 2025
FRSC Partners Indian Government for Landmark Mental Health and Capacity Development Training

FRSC Partners Indian Government for Landmark Mental Health and Capacity Development Training

June 28, 2025
NYSC DG Charges Corps Members to Embrace Postings with Patriotism and Discipline

NYSC DG Charges Corps Members to Embrace Postings with Patriotism and Discipline

June 28, 2025
NewsPeg Magazine

Newspeg is a General interest Magazine conceived by Nigerian Media practitioners of like minds across ethnic and geo-political divides of the country, for the purpose of creating uniqueness in Magazine reporting in Nigeria and repositioning the country for the needed growth.

Follow Us

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2024 Newspeg magazine - powered by Vecrit.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
    • World
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • More

© 2024 Newspeg magazine - powered by Vecrit.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In