The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed the receipt of the refund of $760,000 paid as advanced school fees by a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for his children at the American International School, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially acknowledged the refund of $760,000, an amount previously paid by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as advanced school fees for his children at the American International School, Abuja.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this development to reporters in Abuja on Friday, stating, “The school has refunded the entire $760,000 to the EFCC’s recovery account.”
This reimbursement comes after the American International School of Abuja requested the EFCC to provide accurate banking details for the refund of fees initially paid for the former governor’s children.
Bello purportedly utilized state funds to make an advance payment of $720,000 for the education of five of his children at the school, spanning Grade Levels 2 to 8.
On April 17, EFCC operatives sought to apprehend Bello at his residence in Abuja concerning an alleged N80.2 billion fraud; however, he was reportedly escorted away by Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, upon their arrival.
In correspondence addressed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school disclosed that a total of $845,852 had been paid in tuition fees from September 7, 2021, to date.
The school clarified that the refundable amount stood at $760,910 after deducting educational services already provided.
Furthermore, the school asserted its commitment to notify the anti-graft agency of any additional deposits made by the Bello family.
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA detailed a request from Ali Bello to prepay the family’s school fees until their children complete high school.
Earlier, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed that the former governor transferred $720,000 from state coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office, intending to prepay his child’s school fees.
Olukoyede emphasized the need to address such actions, particularly in economically challenged states like Kogi, dismissing claims of being manipulated into action.