AMERICAN SCHOOL TO REFUND ALLEGED ADVANCE SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT OF $760,910.84 MADE BY BELLO FOR HIS CHILDREN TO EFCC

The American International School, Abuja, has formally requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide its correct banking information. 

This is to facilitate the refund of $760,910.84, which was reportedly paid by former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as advance school fees for his children.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello is facing 19 counts of money laundering involving over N80 billion at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The EFCC has faced challenges in prosecuting him due to difficulties in apprehending him.

Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Commission, disclosed on Tuesday that the former governor withdrew $720,000 from the state’s funds to pay the advance school fees for his five children.

A document circulating on the internet lists the names of Bello’s children as Farid Bello (Grade 8), Zahra Bello (Grade 6), Na’ima Bello (Grade 4), Nana-Fatima Bello (Grade 2), and Zayyan Ali Bello, whose application to the school was still pending.

In response, the American International School, Abuja, stated in its letter to the EFCC that a total of $845,852.84 had been deposited into the specified bank account for tuition and other fees since September 7, 2021.

The letter reads further, “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. Should any further deposits be made into ASIA’s bank account/s, we will disclose and inform you immediately without delay”.