The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asking for “authentic banking details” to refund fees paid for the children of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
This was made known in a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC.
According to the letter, the school said the sum of $845,852 had been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date”.
It turns out that Bello allegedly made an advance payment of $720,000 in school fees for five of his children using the funds from the Kogi State Government.
The children are in grade levels 2 to 8 at the school.
Recall that on April 17, the EFCC operatives surrounded Bello’s residence in Abuja, trying to arrest him for an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
While the operatives were at the house, the current Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, arrived at the property and reportedly whisked Bello away.
However, the American school, AISA said the sum to be refunded is $760,910 because it had deducted educational services already rendered.
“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,” the letter reads.
“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and eighty-four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.
“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).
“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School”.
The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted, with the Nigeria Immigration Service placing the ex-governor on a watchlist.