The compensation of $760,000 in advanced school fees that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid for his children’s education at the American International School, Abuja, has been formally accepted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this to our correspondent in Abuja on Friday after confirming the reimbursement.
“The school has refunded the entire $760,000 to the EFCC’s recovery account,” he stated.
Previously, the American International School of Abuja requested “authentic banking details” from the EFCC for the refund of fees paid for the former governor’s children. Bello purportedly made the payment of $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children, ranging from Grade Levels 2 to 8, from the Kogi State Government’s funds.
On April 17, EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Bello over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud, leading to a siege on his residence in Abuja. However, while the operatives were present, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi reportedly arrived and escorted Bello away.
In response to a letter addressed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school confirmed that $845,852 had been paid in tuition fees from September 7, 2021, to date. AISA further stated that the sum to be refunded is $760,910, with deductions made for educational services rendered.
The school emphasized its willingness to refund the specified amount upon receipt of official written requests and authentic banking details from the EFCC. It also warned of alerting the anti-graft agency in the event of further deposits by the Bello family.
Moreover, the school disclosed that Ali Bello contacted them on August 13, 2021, seeking to pay advance school fees until the students graduate from High School.
In a separate statement, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that the former governor transferred $720,000 from the government’s coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office to pay in advance for his child’s school fees. He emphasized the need for accountability, particularly in a financially constrained state like Kogi.