The media office of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has vehemently refuted allegations that the ex-governor utilized state funds to pay his children’s school fees. The statement comes in response to assertions made by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, during a press conference held on Tuesday.
Contrary to Olukoyede’s claims, Bello’s media office clarified that the payment of school fees for his children commenced in 2021, well before the end of his tenure. The statement emphasized that Bello’s children had been attending the American International School in Abuja before his governorship, and their fees had consistently been paid without reliance on state resources.
Addressing EFCC’s involvement, the statement revealed that a family member contested the Commission’s attempt to recover the fees, resulting in a ruling by the FCT High Court in favor of the family member. The court stipulated that the school could not unilaterally refund fees to a third party, including the EFCC.
The media office accused the EFCC chairman of pursuing a personal vendetta against Bello, attempting to convict him in the court of public opinion rather than through due legal process. Emphasizing the principle of sub judice, the statement underscored the importance of refraining from actions or statements that could prejudice a pending court case.