The American International School of Abuja has reportedly refunded $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from school fees allegedly deposited by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The fees, totaling $845,852, were purportedly paid by Bello for the education of five of his children at the school.
Bello is facing prosecution by the anti-graft body over allegations of defrauding the Kogi State Government of N80.2 billion. However, he vehemently denied the accusations, stating his refusal to succumb to any form of blackmail and threatening to seek legal redress for what he termed as “defamatory” allegations.
A Kogi State High Court has ordered EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to appear before it on May 13, 2024, in response to alleged disobedience of its order. The $845,852 payment to the school by Bello in August 2021 was intended to cover the education expenses of four of his children, with provisions for another child’s enrollment in August 2022, if successful and space available.
According to sources within the EFCC, the American school refunded the fees in two installments, initially returning $720,000 and later $40,910. Following mutual agreement with the EFCC, the school decided to retain a portion of the fees for services rendered, refunding a total of $760,910 to the anti-graft agency.