The American International School of Abuja has pledged to reimburse Kogi State with N1.1 billion from former Governor Yahaya Bello’s children’s school fees, following revelations of alleged money laundering.
Confirming that Governor Bello had paid $845,000 for his children’s education, the school has committed to repaying $760,000 to the Kogi state treasury as part of the ongoing investigation into the ex-governor’s financial activities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Mr. Bello of embezzling $720,000 from Kogi’s coffers to cover his children’s tuition fees.
Despite attempts by the anti-corruption agency to apprehend him, Mr. Bello remains at large, prompting the withdrawal of his security detail.
According to Peoples Gazette, in a letter dated October 24, 2022, the school disclosed that the remaining $85,000 had already been used for educational services provided to the governor’s children within a year.
Giving a comprehensive report about the payments made from September 7, 2021, to the present, totaling $845,852.84, the school urged the EFCC to provide official banking details for the refund process.
The letter party read, “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.
“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, Should any further deposits be made into ASIA’S bank account/s, we will disclose and inform you immediately without delay,” it added, stressing the school’s commitment to transparency.