The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has formally requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide accurate banking details. This request is part of an effort to refund school fees allegedly misused by the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for his children’s education at AISA. Bello purportedly made an advance payment of $720,000 from the Kogi State Government’s funds to cover tuition fees for five of his children, who are currently enrolled in grades 2 to 8 at the school.

The situation escalated when EFCC operatives attempted to apprehend Bello at his residence in Abuja on April 17, as part of an investigation into an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. However, the current Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, intervened and reportedly escorted Bello away from the premises.

In a formal letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, AISA disclosed that a total of $845,852 had been paid in tuition fees from September 7, 2021, up to the present date. After deducting the costs of educational services already provided, the net refundable amount was calculated at $760,910.84. AISA emphasized that they do not anticipate any further fees for tuition, as the students’ accounts have been settled until their graduation from the school.

Furthermore, AISA cautioned that they would bring any additional deposits made by the Bello family to the attention of the anti-graft agency. The school clarified that Ali Bello, a member of the family, had initiated contact with AISA on August 13, 2021, expressing the intention to prepay the children’s school fees until their high school graduation.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has escalated its pursuit of Bello, declaring him wanted, and the Nigeria Immigration Service has placed him on a watchlist. This underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation into the financial activities of the Bello family.

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Adesina Ademola

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