Bello's Media Reacts To Accusation Of American School Refunding $760k

Yahaya Bello

“Mischievous narrative...”

The media office of Yahaya Bello responds to the accusation of a “American school refunding $760k.”

Reported accusations that the American International School Abuja (AISA) plans to return $760,000 in upfront school fees have been referred to as a “mischievous narrativeby the media office of former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello.

On April 26, documents requesting “authentic banking details” from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to reimburse Bello's children's fees went viral online.

The institution stated that $845,852 has been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date” in a letter to the EFCC's zonal commander in Lagos.

The institution stated that $845,852 has been paid in tuition "since the 7th of September 2021 to date" in a letter to the EFCC's zonal commander in Lagos.

AISA stated that $760,910 should be reimbursed because it has already subtracted the cost of educational services provided.

The head of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated on April 23 that Bello used funds from the Kogi state government to pay $720,000 in advance for the education of five of his children.

“Yahaya Bello's children have attended the American International School, Abuja, since before he became Governor, and he has paid their fees as due without fail,” the ex-governor's media office stated in a statement signed by Ohiare Michael.

The statement further stated that Bello paid the expenses without using state cash from Kogi.

The statement reads: “He did not pay USD720,000 or USD840,000 as alleged. The payment commenced in 2021, not when he was leaving office.

“He did not use Kogi State Government funds to pay the fees.

“The EFCC's attempt to recover funds from the school was unsuccessful, and the court mandated the school to continue providing services.

“The documents published online are public documents filed in court and show that Yahaya Bello has nothing to hide.

“The payment is the subject of an ongoing court case, and we await the EFCC's proof in court.”

Michael went on to say that blackmail won't scare Bello.

“We will not engage in prejudicial statements while the matter is sub judice,” the statement reads.

“We thank Nigerians who recognize the EFCC's desperation as personal vendetta.

“We implore others not to be misled by mischievous narratives but to follow the case until justice is served.

“Yahaya Bello will not be intimidated by blackmail and will continue to follow due process.”

Yahaya Bello's home in Abuja was besieged by EFCC agents on April 17 in an effort to apprehend him in connection with a purported N80.2 billion fraud.

Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi, reportedly arrived at the residence while the operatives were there and snatched Bello out.

Bello was placed on a watchlist by the NIS and declared wanted by the EFCC.