AISA Offers to Refund $760k of Yahaya Bello’s Children School Fees to EFCC

The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a request for authentic banking details to initiate the refund of school fees paid for the children of Yahaya Bello, the immediate-past governor of Kogi State.

According to the school, Yahaya Bello paid $720,000 in advance for the education of five of his children, ranging from grade levels 2 to 8. These funds were allegedly sourced from the coffers of the Kogi State government, raising concerns about misappropriation of public money.

The move by AISA comes on the heels of a failed attempt by EFCC operatives to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence on April 17, during an investigation into an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. While EFCC agents were at his property, Usman Ododo, the current governor of Kogi, arrived at the scene and reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape.

In its correspondence with the EFCC, AISA detailed that since September 7, 2021, they had received a total of $845,852.84 for tuition and other fees from the Bello family. After deducting educational services rendered, the school calculated a refundable amount of $760,910.84.

AISA’s letter to the EFCC 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.”

Furthermore, AISA emphasized that the refunded sum accounted for services rendered and that no additional fees were expected in respect to tuition, as all costs had been settled until the children graduate from the school. The school also stated it would notify the EFCC if further payments were made by the Bello family.

In a separate statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA mentioned that Ali Bello, an associate of Yahaya Bello, contacted the school on August 13, 2021, to request the advance payment of school fees until the students completed their education.

The EFCC has since declared Yahaya Bello wanted, and the Nigerian Immigration Service has placed him on a watchlist as the investigation into the case continues.