Yahaya Bello vs EFCC: American School Refunds $760,910 Meant to Cover 14 Years of Fees

The American International School of Abuja has recently refunded $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in connection with an ongoing investigation involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

This reimbursement is part of a larger sum of $845,852 that was purportedly disbursed by Bello in 2021 to cover long-term school fees for his children.

Specifically, the refund pertains to the tuition fees for five children of the ex-governor, with the funds initially designated to secure their education from 2021 to 2035.

This development follows accusations against Bello for allegedly misappropriating N80.2 billion from state funds, allegations he vehemently denies, asserting that he refuses to succumb to what he describes as attempts to coerce him into admitting wrongdoing.

The EFCC, actively investigating the case, presented court documents indicating that Bello paid the substantial sum to cover not only the immediate educational needs of his four children but also a prospective fifth child, dependent on admission and available space in the school by August 2022.

A reliable source within the EFCC disclosed, “The American school refunded the school fees in two installments. Initially, it returned $720,000 to the EFCC and later $40,910.”

Further adding, “Following a mutual agreement with the EFCC, the school decided to retain some fees (approximately $84,942) for its services. This aspect of our investigation prompted us to request Bello’s presence for questioning, and it is already included in our documents submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja.”

In response to inquiries, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, confirmed, “The school has refunded $760,910 to this commission.”

Meanwhile, Bello has criticized the EFCC over allegations concerning the payment of school fees for his children.

In a statement released on Friday by his spokesperson, Ohiare Michael, the former governor refuted the EFCC’s claims as false and misleading.

Bello clarified that he did not utilize funds from the Kogi state government’s treasury to pay his children’s fees, and he neither paid the $720,000 alleged by the EFCC Chairman nor the $840,000 circulating on the internet.

He emphasized that the fee payment did not occur around the time he was to leave office, as asserted by the EFCC chairman, but rather commenced in 2021.