A Federal High Court in Abuja recently accepted receipts for school fees paid to the American International School, Abuja (AISA) on behalf of the children of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as part of the evidence in an ongoing N80.2 billion money laundering case. These receipts were presented by the prosecution during the latest hearing, led by lawyer Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). The documents, which were submitted through the third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, listed the names of four of Bello’s children. Additionally, Ohehomon identified other documents, labeled as Exhibits 13P2 to 13P4, as proof of transfers made by Forza Oil and Gas for the benefit of the defendant’s children.

During the proceedings, Pinheiro objected to the admissibility of one of the documents, arguing that the defense had not shown it met the requirements under Section 232 of the Evidence Act. In response, the defense lawyer, Daudu, emphasized that the admissibility of documents in legal cases depends solely on their relevance to the matter at hand. He cited Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Evidence Act, 2011, stating that once a document is deemed relevant, it should be admitted as evidence. Daudu also pointed out that the prosecution’s objection was speculative, as they were unaware of how the defense intended to use the documents.

Daudu further argued that the judgment from the High Court of the FCT, which referenced AISA as a party, is a public document and should be admissible. He noted that the witness, Ohehomon, was the sole representative of AISA in the case that led to the judgment. Daudu concluded that the prosecution’s discomfort with the document should not prevent its admissibility.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case until May 8 for a ruling on the admissibility of the judgment and to continue the trial.