The American International School of Abuja has reimbursed $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) out of the $845,852 school fees reportedly deposited by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for the education of his five children at the institution.
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Bello is facing prosecution by the anti-graft agency on allegations of embezzling N80.2 billion from the state’s coffers, with the $845,852 in question allegedly siphoned from Kogi State Government funds.
Despite vehemently denying the accusations and rejecting what he perceives as attempts at blackmail, Bello has vowed not to yield to pressure or manipulation.
In response to the ongoing legal proceedings, a Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has summoned EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to appear on May 13, 2024, to address allegations of disobeying court orders.
Documents submitted by the EFCC to support its case reveal that Bello purportedly paid the school fees in August 2021 to cover the education of four of his children, with provisions made for a fifth child to enroll in August 2022, pending space availability.
The fees were intended to cover a 14-year period spanning from 2021 to 2035.
According to sources within the EFCC, the American school refunded the fees in two installments, initially returning $720,000 and later $40,910.
Following negotiations with the EFCC, the school opted to retain a portion of the fees, approximately $84,942, for services rendered, while refunding $760,910 to the commission.
