The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the reimbursement of $760,000 advanced as school fees by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for his children’s education at the American International School in Abuja.
In a statement to our correspondent in Abuja on Friday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale verified the return of the entire sum to the EFCC’s recovery account. He said, “The school has refunded the entire $760,000 to the EFCC’s recovery account.”
Previously, the American International School of Abuja had requested “authentic banking details” from the EFCC for the refund of fees paid for the former governor’s children. Bello had purportedly paid $720,000 upfront for five of his children’s education from the Kogi State Government’s funds. The children were enrolled in Grade Levels 2 to 8 at the institution.
On April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege to Bello’s residence in Abuja to effect his arrest over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. However, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi reportedly arrived at the property and took Bello away while the operatives were present.
In correspondence addressed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school stated that $845,852 had been paid in tuition since September 7, 2021, to date. The school deducted the educational services already rendered and requested the refund amount of $760,910, emphasizing that no further fees were expected.
The school pledged to notify the EFCC of any additional deposits by the Bello family, indicating transparency in their dealings.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede had previously disclosed that Bello transferred $720,000 from the state’s coffers to a bureau de change to prepay his child’s school fees. Olukoyede criticized Bello’s actions, citing misuse of state funds in a state like Kogi known for its economic challenges.
