THE American International School in Abuja has paid $760,910 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a refund for advanced school fees paid to the school by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for his children.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, verified this today.
In a letter dated October 24, 2022, the school requested that the anti-graft agency submit its “authentic banking details” so that the refund may be paid “as part of the investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family”.
The anti-graft agency declared Bello wanted after his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, allegedly carried him away on April 17, 2024, preventing EFCC officials from arresting him (Bello) as they lay siege to his Abuja home.
Meanwhile, a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has ordered the EFCC chairman to appear in court on May 13, 2024, to explain why an order of committal should not be issued against him for allegedly defying a court order.
The EFCC chief is facing a contempt allegation for engaging in “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, awaiting the outcome of the substantive Originating Motion.
A total of $845,852 was said to be paid to the school between September 2021 and October 2022. The institution stated that it deducted the educational services provided throughout the period, with the remaining cash being $760,910.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello on 19 counts of suspected money laundering, breach of trust, and theft of funds totalling N80.2 billion. The case is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who has pledged to prosecute Bello or resign, said that the controversial ex-governor stole $720,000 from the state’s finances to pay his child’s school fees in advance soon before leaving office on January 27, 2024.