Abuja School To Refund N1.1b To Kogi State From Yahaya Bello’s Children’s Fees

In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering activities by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the American International School of Abuja (ASIA) has stepped forward to refund N1.1 billion to the Kogi State treasury.

The school’s decision comes after confirming that Governor Bello had paid $845,000 for the tuition fees of his children, a move that has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows regarding the source of the funds.

In a letter addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dated October 24, 2022, ASIA pledged to return $760,000 to the Kogi State treasury as part of the investigation into the alleged money laundering activities involving Governor Bello.

The EFCC had earlier accused the ex-governor of embezzling $720,000 from the state treasury to cover his children’s school fees.

However, ASiA clarified that a portion of the funds, totaling $85,000, had been utilised for educational services provided to the governor’s children over less than a year.

The school confirmed that between September 7, 2021, and the date of the letter, a substantial sum of $845,852.84 had been paid in tuition and other fees for six of Governor Bello’s children enrolled at ASiA.

ASiA emphasised its cooperation with the anti-corruption agency, stating, “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.”

Furthermore, ASiA disclosed that no additional fees are expected in respect of tuition, as the students’ fees have been settled until their graduation from the institution.

The school pledged to promptly disclose and inform the EFCC of any further deposits made into its bank accounts.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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