The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has formally written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the refund of school fees paid for the children of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
It is alleged that Bello used funds from the Kogi state government amounting to $720,000 to pay in advance for the education of his five children at the school, who are currently enrolled in grade levels 2 to 8.
On April 17, EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Bello at his residence in Abuja in connection with an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. However, during the operation, Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi, arrived at the scene and reportedly whisked Bello away.
In a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, AISA stated that a total of $845,852 has been deposited into their bank account as tuition fees from September 7, 2021, up to the present. The school indicated that $760,910 should be refunded after deducting the educational services already provided.
The school requested an official written request from the EFCC, along with the authentic banking details, for the refund of the aforementioned funds. The request was made in connection with the EFCC’s investigation into the alleged money laundering activities involving the Bello family.
AISA highlighted that no further additional fees are expected for tuition as the students’ fees have been settled until their graduation from the American International School of Abuja.
AISA also cautioned that if there are any further deposits made by the Bello family, the school would promptly notify the anti-graft agency.
According to a statement by Greg Hughes, a representative of AISA, Ali Bello, a member of the Bello family, contacted the school on August 13, 2021, expressing the intention to pay the family’s school fees in advance until the students complete their high school education.
In a separate development, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that Yahaya Bello transferred $720,000 from the state government’s coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office. The funds were used to pay in advance for his child’s school fees. Olukoyede made this disclosure during an interview with journalists in Abuja, emphasizing the need to address such financial improprieties.
The American International School of Abuja is committed to cooperating with the EFCC in its investigation and awaits further instructions regarding the refund of the fees paid by the former governor.
