Amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding former Governor Yahaya Bello, the American International School of Abuja has confirmed that the ex-governor paid $845,000 in tuition fees for his six children enrolled in the institution until their graduation. Additionally, the school has pledged to refund N1.1 billion to Kogi State, corresponding to the former governor’s children’s school fees.
In a letter addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the school expressed its commitment to returning $760,000 to the Kogi state treasury as part of the investigation into Mr. Bello’s alleged money laundering activities.
The EFCC had accused the former governor of embezzling $720,000 from the Kogi state treasury to cover his children’s tuition fees. Despite laying siege to Mr. Bello’s Abuja residence this month, the anti-corruption agency failed to secure his arrest and subsequently declared him wanted, with the police withdrawing his security details.
According to the school’s letter dated October 24, 2022, it informed the EFCC that the remaining $85,000 had already been utilized for educational services provided to the governor’s children within a year.
Furthermore, the school confirmed that from September 7, 2021, to the date of the letter, a total of $845,852.84 was disbursed in tuition and other fees for six of the governor’s children enrolled at the institution.
The school has requested the EFCC to provide an official written request, along with the genuine banking details of the commission, for the refund of the specified funds as part of the ongoing investigation into the Bello family’s alleged money laundering activities.
In its communication, the school provided a breakdown of payments made and assured that no further additional fees are expected, as the students’ fees have been settled until their graduation from the American International School of Abuja. Any future deposits into the school’s bank account/s will be promptly disclosed and reported to the EFCC without delay.
