A prosecution witness in the trial of a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Thursday, March 12, 2026 narrated before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, how a total sum of $760,910.84 was paid as advance school fees for children of the former governor at the American International School Abuja (AISA).
NAIJAONPOINT , Nicholas Okehone, an Internal Auditor with AISA and Prosecution Witness 14, PW14, made the disclosure while testifying before Maryanne Anineh, who is presiding over the trial at the FCT High Court, Maitama.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of an alleged ₦110.4 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Okehone confirmed that the first defendant had four children enrolled in the school.
Asked if he knew the defendant, NAIJAONPOINT replied:
“Yes, I know him as a parent. He has children in my institution. He has four children at the American International School, Abuja.”
When asked to recall their names, Okehone mentioned Zahra Fatima, and Na’ima, adding that Nana Fatima Bello and Farid Bello were also among the children. He also confirmed that Zayyan Ali Bello, the son of Ali Bello, a nephew to the former governor, was among the beneficiaries of the payments.
Okehone further confirmed several documents previously tendered before the Federal High Court, including:
• Certificates of identification
• Admission letters
• An agreement for pre-payment of school fees until graduation
• Telex copies of payments from banks in the United States
• Email correspondences between AISA and Ali Bello
• School receipts and statements of account from Zenith Bank and TD Bank
• Letters between AISA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, regarding the refund of the fees.
Despite objections from defence counsel led by Paul Daudu SAN, who said they would state their reasons in their final written addresses, Justice Anineh admitted the documents as exhibits AX1 to AX13.
While identifying Exhibit AX4, NAIJAONPOINT told the court it was an agreement titled “Pre-Paid School Fees Until Graduation.”
According to him, the agreement was signed by Grace Hudge, Head of School at AISA, and Ali Bello, on behalf of the Bello family.
The agreement listed the students as:
• Farid Bello
• Zahra Bello
• Na’ima Bello
• Nana Fatima Bello
It also included Zayyan Ali Bello as a future student.
Okehone explained that the school received payments through multiple international transfers.
Among them were:
• $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas for Zahra Omanike Bello
• $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas for Fatima Bello
• $11,000 from Whales Oil and Gas for Farida Oricha
• $78,160 from Alyeshua Solutions Services for Fatima Bello