American International school contacts EFCC, promise to return $760k of Yahaya Bello’s children fees

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in response to a request from the American International School of Abuja (AISA), has requested “authentic banking details” in order to reimburse payments for students whose parents were the immediate former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Bello is accused of using funds from the Kogi State Government to pay the school fees for five of his children in advance, totaling $720,000.

The kids attend the school and are enrolled in grades 2 through 8.

On April 17, EFCC agents besieged Bello’s Abuja home in an effort to take him into custody about a purported N80.2 billion scam. As the agents were at the residence, Usman Ododo, the current Kogi governor, showed up at the took away Yahaya Bello.

The school reported that $845,852 had been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date” in a letter to the EFCC’s zonal commander in Lagos.

AISA stated that since it had already subtracted educational services already provided, the amount to be reimbursed is $760,910.

“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,” the letter reads.

“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.”

The school said it would draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there were any further deposits by the Bello family.

In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School”.

The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted, with the Nigeria Immigration Service placing the ex-governor on a watchlist.