The American International School Abuja has clarified the circumstances surrounding the turnover of advanced tuition reportedly paid by a former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, for the education of five of his children to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). While the school did not directly mention Yahaya Bello in its statement, it aligns with The Nation’s earlier report that the institution refunded $760,910.84 out of the $845,852 fees allegedly deposited by Bello.
According to the EFCC, the funds in question were part of the N80.2 billion of Kogi state funds allegedly diverted for personal use by the former Governor. The payment of $845,852 was purportedly made by Bello to cover the education expenses of four of his children in the school, with provision for a fifth child’s enrollment in August 2022 if space was available.
Documents submitted by the EFCC to support its case against the ex-Governor indicated that the fees were intended to cover a 14-year period (2021–2035). The four children enrolled were identified as: Farid Bello in Grade 8; Zahra Bello in Grade 6; Na’Ima Bello in Grade 4; and Nana-Fatima Bello in Grade 2. The fifth child, Zayyan Ali Bello, was intended for pre-school enrollment in August 2022.
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Greg Hughes, the Head of the American International School Abuja, clarified that the school relinquished the funds paid as school fees by a family with enrolled children based on the EFCC’s investigation. The institution acknowledged accepting the advance payment for school fees, which was duly recorded in its records. However, upon discovering that the fees were part of an ongoing EFCC case, the school emphasized that it has not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the matter and is fully cooperating with the EFCC in addressing the issues currently before the courts.
Regarding recent media reports highlighting tensions between the EFCC and the school, stemming from an investigation conducted in 2022, the institution stated that it would refrain from making further comments at this time as the legal matters are being resolved within the judicial system and involve one of the families connected to the school.
