The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to June 26, 27, and July 4 and 5, to rule on a contentious application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to cross-examine its own witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, in the ongoing money laundering case.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the adjournment after heated legal arguments between EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) and defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN). At issue was whether the EFCC could cross-examine Ojehomon, who is its third prosecution witness and also the internal auditor of the American International School, Abuja (AISA).
Daudu objected, stating that the EFCC had not declared the witness “hostile” — a legal requirement under the Evidence Act before a party can cross-examine its own witness. Pinheiro argued instead that the EFCC had a right under Section 36 of the Constitution (on fair hearing) to highlight inconsistencies tied to Exhibit 19, a document admitted into evidence during cross-examination.
Justice Nwite clarified that a witness can only be cross-examined by the opposing party, and that the EFCC was only allowed to re-examine, not challenge, its own witness. When Pinheiro continued to pose what appeared to be cross-examination-style questions during re-examination, Daudu raised objections again.
After further exchanges, the judge ruled that both sides should submit formal arguments on the legality of the EFCC’s request. He then adjourned the matter for a ruling and continuation of the trial.
During earlier testimony, Ojehomon maintained that no payments were wired from the Kogi State Government or its local governments to AISA for school fees and that no court ruling had ever declared such funds to be proceeds of crime.
