The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has contacted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees reportedly paid by the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for his children’s education.
Allegedly, Bello made an advance payment of $720,000 in school fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi State Government. These children, ranging from grade levels 2 to 8, are enrolled at AISA.
The EFCC’s recent attempt to arrest Bello over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud prompted AISA to reach out regarding the refund. During the attempted arrest, Governor Usman Ododo reportedly arrived and escorted Bello away.
In a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, AISA stated that $845,852 had been paid in tuition fees since September 7, 2021, to date. After deducting educational services already rendered, the sum to be refunded amounts to $760,910.
Part of the letter 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,” the letter reads.
“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and eighty-four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.
“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).
“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School”.