Yahaya Bello Paid $845,852 in Advance for Children’s Schooling, American School Testifies

An official of the American International School, Abuja, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for future enrollment.

Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, testified as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), confirming that the payments covered Bello’s children’s education until graduation. He stated that the amount was paid in two tranches, with one portion allocated for future tuition.

Bello is currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud charge filed by the EFCC. During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records, including statements from the American International School, detailing payments made on behalf of Bello’s children.

Earlier, on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), testified under subpoena, submitting documents showing financial transactions related to the school fees. The EFCC had previously alleged that, shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance for his children’s education, but the school refunded the amount following an investigation.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Ojehomon revealed that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, handled the payment process. He testified that on August 13, 2021, Ali Bello contacted the school, requesting to pay tuition fees for Bello’s children until their graduation, a request that the school accepted. The payments covered four of Bello’s children in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2, as well as future children yet to be enrolled, with an expected start date of August 2022.

Breakdown of the payments included $90,074 for a daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for a daughter in Grade 6, $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for a daughter in Grade 2. Ojehomon also confirmed a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello for the prepayment arrangement.

EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) tendered the school’s admission records and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits. Ojehomon further stated that $760,910.84 was refunded to the EFCC, with the amount transferred to an account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Another prosecution witness, Williams from UBA, presented additional financial documents related to transactions under Bello’s administration. She testified that multiple withdrawals were made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, often in N10 million tranches, primarily issued to two individuals: Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O. On December 12, 2018, ten separate N10 million transactions were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu.

Williams identified key signatories on the account, including Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant). However, under cross-examination, she admitted that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for the continuation of proceedings.