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Abuja-American School Writes EFCC, Speaks On Returning $760k Of Yahaya Bello’s Children Fees
The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has contacted Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), regarding ongoing investigations into the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
In a communique issued on Friday, AISA requested accurate banking information to reimburse the school for fees previously paid for the children of the former governor.
Nation Post understands that Bello is alleged to have made an upfront payment of $720,000 from the funds of the Kogi State Government to cover the fees of his five children at the school. The said children are currently enrolled in grade levels 2 to 8.
Recall that on April 17, EFCC operatives surrounded Bello’s residence in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend him for an alleged fraud amounting to N80.2 billion.
During their presence, the current Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, arrived at the property and reportedly escorted Bello away.
Regarding the latest development on Bello’s case, in a letter directed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, AISA stated that a total of $845,852 has been paid in tuition fees “from the 7th of September 2021 until the present date.”
AISA said the sum to be refunded is $760,910 because it had deducted educational services already rendered.
The letter reads: “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.
“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and eighty-four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.
“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).
“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”
If the Bello family makes any additional deposits, the school has stated that it will bring this to the attention of the anti-graft agency.
According to a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA has also mentioned that Ali Bello reached out to the school on Friday, August 13, 2021, expressing the desire to pay the family’s school fees in advance until the students complete their high school education.
As a result, the EFCC has declared Bello as a wanted individual, and the Nigeria Immigration Service has placed the former governor on a watchlist.
