The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested that the American International School in Abuja refund $845,000. This amount was allegedly paid by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for his son’s tuition fees.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed in a press briefing on Tuesday that the former governor had extracted $720,000 from the state’s funds to cover his child’s school expenses.
It is claimed that Bello entered into an agreement with the school to prepay tuition fees amounting to $845,000 until 2034 for his eldest son, Ali Bello.
Following the uncovering of the supposed financial misconduct by the ex-governor and the intensification of the EFCC’s probe, the agency has demanded an immediate refund from the school.
In response, the school acknowledged receiving the payment in September 2021 and consented to refund £760,000, deducting the cost of educational services provided to the ex-governor’s son since 2021.
Part of the school’s response, as stated in a letter titled “Your Request for the Refund of $760,910.84 in Respect of Fees Paid in Advance by the Bello Family as a Result of Your Financial Crimes Investigation into Alleged Money Laundering Activities,” reads:
“Kindly send us an official written request, including the EFCC’s verified banking details, for the reimbursement of the aforementioned sum as previously specified in your inquiry into the alleged money laundering by the Bello family.
“From September 7, 2021, to the present, a total of $845,852.84 in tuition and other fees has been paid into our account.
“After accounting for the educational services rendered, we have determined the net amount to be refunded to the State as $760,510.64.”
“No additional tuition fees are anticipated as the student’s fees remain unsettled until their graduation from ASIA. Should any further deposits be made into ASCAS’s bank accounts, we will promptly disclose and inform you without delay.”
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The school also provided receipts and deeds of agreements signed by its management and Bello.
One such agreement states:
“Mr. Ali Bello and AISA have an agreement for prepaid school fees until graduation. This includes conditions for installment payments, potential fee increases, and refund policies. Mr. Greg Hughes for AISA and Mr. Ali Bello signed it, with validation from the FCT High Court of Justice, Abuja.”
The former governor is presently sought for an alleged fraud amounting to N80.2 billion.
