Crime
Witness Reveals How Funds from International Firms Benefitted Yahaya Bello’s Children
Witness Reveals How Funds from International Firms Benefitted Yahaya Bello’s Children
Witness reveals how funds from International Firms benefitted Yahaya Bello’s children. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, March 7, 2025 heard further testimony from prosecution witness Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School Abuja, AISA, in the ongoing trial of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Ojehomon testified that all payments made for school fees at AISA, including those from international companies, were exclusively for the benefit of Bello’s children.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Ojehomon detailed a series of payments, referencing several exhibits that documented the transactions.
He confirmed that multiple payments were made in favour of Bello’s children, Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello through different companies.
Pinheiro directed the witness to exhibit 13p1 and asked him to identify the document. Ojehomon responded, “It is a bank teller sent to AISA via email from Ali Bello.” When asked to read the name of the sender from the document, he stated, “It was sent in by Forza Oil and Gas, and the recipient is AISA.”
The prosecution counsel then inquired about the amount indicated on the teller. “The amount is $49,600,” Ojehomon confirmed. “Is there anywhere on that document indicating for whose benefit the money was sent?” Pinheiro asked. “Yes,” the witness responded, “Zara Omoneke Bello.”
Similar patterns emerged as Ojehomon reviewed additional exhibits: Exhibit 13p2: $44,700 was sent by Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello, exhibit 13p3: $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Zara Bello, exhibit 13p4: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello Oziohu, exhibit 13p5: $11,000 from Whales Oil and Gas to AISA with “Farid Oricha” listed under the contract number, exhibit 13p6: $78,160 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA, benefiting Fatima Ohizio Bello, exhibit 13p7: $42,170 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello.
Others are; exhibit 13p8: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello, exhibit 13p9: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA for Na’ima, exhibit 13p10: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Farid Edu Support” listed under the beneficiary.
Exhibit 13p11: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading plc to AISA for Fatima, with “Invoice Reference: Fatima Edu Support, exhibit 13p12: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Invoice Reference: Zara Edu Support, exhibit 13p13: A $100,000 transfer from Manzi Issa, a Ugandan national. Exhibit 13p14: A $90,000 transfer from Dada Grant Merchant Limited, also based in Uganda.
The prosecution also presented exhibit 14p15-63, a series of receipts issued by AISA. When asked to confirm the names on the receipts, Ojehomon stated, “The receipts were all issued in the names of the four children of Yahaya Bello.”
He went on to name them in exhibit 14p-16 as: Bello Nana, Fatima Zara Bello, Farid Bello, and Na’ima Bello. When asked to identify the parent of the named individuals from AISA’s records, Ojehomon confirmed, “From the record of AISA, the parent of the names mentioned is Yahaya Bello.”
Further, Pinheiro asked, “Please confirm to the court that none of the receipts from exhibit 13p16-53 were issued in favour of Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Alyeshua Solutions Services, Unnaki General Trading Limited, Dada Grant Merchant Limited of Kampala, or Manzi Issa of Uganda.
” The witness responded, “I hereby confirm that none of the receipts issued by AISA were in favour of any of the names mentioned.”
During cross-examination, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, attempted to tender certified true copies of receipts and rectification documents from a separate suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No. FCT/HC/CB/2574/2023, between Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School). Daudu sought to introduce these documents as evidence.
However, prosecution counsel Pinheiro objected, arguing that “this is a criminal trial, and the prosecution is still leading its case.”
EFCC, Yahaya Bello
He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, stating that “the only nature of evidence that can be tendered at cross-examination is a previous statement in writing by the witness for the purpose of contradicting his current testimony.” Pinheiro emphasized that “a party cannot be tendering documents from the bar at this stage; they must wait until their turn to prove their case.”
In response, Daudu insisted that the documents were relevant under Section 4 of the Evidence Act, arguing that “the prosecution itself has acknowledged their relevance.” He maintained that “the document is a public document and should be admitted.”
After hearing both arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that a decision on the admissibility of the documents would be made at the next hearing. The trial was adjourned to May 8 and 9, 2025, for further proceedings.
Magistrate Court Issues Arrest Warrant For VeryDarkMan Over Defamation Case
Magistrate court issues arrest warrant for VeryDarkMan over defamation case. An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order, issued on Thursday, follows a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and present VDM before the court to face the allegations leveled against him.
The court noted that VDM failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, instructing him to appear for the hearing.
Despite pleas from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who requested permission to personally produce his client at the next hearing, the magistrate refused to revoke the arrest warrant.
VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on his social media platform, alleging her involvement in a contractual dispute over the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, refuting the allegations, presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, to establish her innocence.
VeryDarkMan
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act (2015).
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo’s lawyers have also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
They are seeking a retraction, deletion, and public apology for the alleged defamatory statements.
Fuel Station Supervisor Arraigned Over Alleged N1.25m Theft
Fuel station supervisor arraigned over alleged N1.25m theft. A 22-year-old petrol station supervisor, Prosper Ese, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly embezzling N1,256,400 from his employer.
Ese, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing two charges of theft and fraud but pleaded not guilty to both.
According to ASP Edet Ekpo, the prosecutor, the incident took place on March 2 at Arigbabuwo Petrol Filling Station, Oko-Afo, Badagry. Ese allegedly misappropriated N1,056,400 from sales proceeds and also fraudulently obtained N200,000 from one Aisat Folorunsho under false pretenses.
He was reportedly apprehended while attempting to escape from the station.
Court
The prosecution noted that the alleged crimes violate Sections 287 and 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate N.A. Layeni granted Ese bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the hearing to April 16.
Police Arrests Couple For Gun Running In Delta
Police arrests couple for gun running in Delta. Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and his wife, Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area over alleged involvement in gun running.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers raided their residence on March 9, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, recovering a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with a live round intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.
Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated, “Following a coordinated sting operation, our officers apprehended the couple in Okpe LGA and seized a locally made Beretta pistol in their possession. The wife, Uche Joshua, admitted to delivering illegal firearms on behalf of her husband.”
Uche further confessed to having transported several arms to various clients in Warri and Sapele as instructed by her husband.
Syndicate Member Arrested
Further investigations led to the arrest of Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from Useifurun community, Ughelli South LGA, suspected to be a member of the syndicate.
“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more weapons and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.
Other Police Operations in Delta
In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives arrested suspected cultists and armed robbers across the state, recovering:
Two pump-action guns
One Beretta pistol
One cut-to-size gun
24 live cartridges
On February 3, 2025, at about 1:45 pm, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a wanted cultist and gunrunner, Stephen Oma Odu, 25, from Obagho community, Warri North LGA, in Sapele town.
His confession led to the arrest of Abel Festus, aka Tompolo, 42, from Oghareki community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of Festus’ apartment uncovered two pump-action guns and 24 live cartridges.
During the operation, two other suspected cultists, Godspower Moses (alias Power) and Oloriode Owebe, 24, were also arrested.
Police investigations identified the suspects as members of the Vikings Confraternity, with further probes ongoing.
Guns
Suspected Kidnapper and Internet Fraudster Nabbed
In another operation, police arrested a suspected kidnapper and internet fraudster in Mosogar and its environs, recovering a cut-to-size gun.
On March 9, 2025, at about 6:30 am, a police raid in Jesse and Mosogar towns led to the arrest of Festus Oboyo, 26, from Igbopa community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge and an FBI impersonation document allegedly used for online fraud.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two suspected accomplices:
Favor Omowo (alias Voltage), 29, from Jesse town Gift Omowo, 26, from Jesse community
“We are actively tracking down other fleeing gang members and will not rest until all criminals are brought to justice,” Edafe assured.
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