Abuja American School refunds $760,910 in school fees paid by former Governor Yahaya Bello in two tranches to EFCC, per The Nation
Jerrymusa.com reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received $760,910.84 from the American International School of Abuja, which was allegedly deposited by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for the education of five of his children.
Documents submitted to the court by the EFCC to bolster its case against the former governor stated that the fees were to be paid over a 14-year period (2021–2035).
American School Redunds Tuition
“The American school returned the tuition in two installments. It returned $720,000 to the EFCC at first, and then $40,910 later, a senior EFCC source informed.”
The insider went on to say: “The school opted to keep some payments (I believe $84,942) for its services after reaching a mutual understanding with the EFCC.”
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, responded as follows when contacted for an official statement: “The school has refunded $760,910 to this commission.”
In response to a query, the principal informant affirmed that “before effecting the payment, the school officially sent a letter of offer to refund to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC.”
Part of the letter said, “As part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello Bello family, 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.”
“Tuition and other fees totaling $845,852.84 have been put into our bank account since September 7, 2021.
“We have determined that $760,910.84 is the net amount that should be deposited and reimbursed to the state following the deduction of the educational services provided.
“Until the students graduate from AISA, no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled.”