Ripples of corruption allegations against former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello continued as the American International School of Abuja (AISA) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to designate an account for it to refund the school fees paid by Bello in advance for his children.
In a series of documents that went viral, the former Kogi State governor was alleged to have paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.
However, in reaction to the development, an Aide to Bello, Ohiare Michael, argued that the school fees payment was not effected at about the time the former governor was to leave office as claimed by the EFCC Chairman, insisting that the former governor did not pay the fees of his children with monies from the coffers of Kogi State government.
This was just as the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, lauded ongoing efforts by the EFCC to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governor of Kogi State.
Also, Justice I. A. Jamil has ordered the service of a suit seeking to commit the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, to prison, for allegedly disobeying his orders.
On April 17, 2024, EFCC’s operatives had laid siege to Bello’s residence in Abuja, in an attempt to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
But in a letter addressed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school stated that the sum of $845,852 was paid as tuition, “since the 7th of September 2021 to date.”
AISA stated that the sum to be refunded was $760,910, because it had deducted money for educational services already rendered.
The letter read in part, “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).”
The school said it will draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there are any further deposits by the Bello family.
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also stated that, “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.”
Meanwhile, Michael, who is an Aide to Bello, in a statement titled, “Payment for school fees: Setting the records straight,” read: “While we reserve our rights to seek redress against the said defamatory statements, permit us to briefly state the following for the purpose of setting the records straight: “His Excellency, Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became Governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC Chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.
“The payment of the fees was not effected at about the time his Excellency was to leave office as claimed by Mr. Olukoyede but the same commenced in 2021.
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the fees of his children with monies from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.”
It added: “When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid.
“The FCT High Court, in Suit No. FCT/HC/2574/2023 between: Mr. Ali Bello v. The Incorporated Trustees of American International School, Abuja, held that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund to a third party, including the EFCC, fees paid by the parties to the suit.
“The Court subsequently mandated AISA to continue to provide the services it had been paid with respect to the fees.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that no money belonging to Alhaji Yahaya Bello or his family members with regard to school fees has been recovered by the EFCC.
“Now, let it be known that, contrary to misleading narratives by the EFCC, all the documents published online i.e. receipts and letters, that the EFCC has released online, in furtherance of its unrelenting persecution of the former Governor, are documents filed by lawyers in the suit instituted on behalf of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others who paid fees for their wards under the Advance Fee Payment Agreement with AISA.
“Those documents, having been filed by his lawyers, are thus public documents, which shows that Yahaya Bello has nothing to hide with regard to the payment of advance fees for his children. This unending harassment and persecution, even while in office, were among key reasons he sought to enforce his fundamental human rights.
“We state that the payment of these fees and the legitimacy thereof is the subject matter of Charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022, filed by the EFCC since 15th December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Charge is pending and the Court has yet to make any finding or convicted anyone in respect of the said sum.”
In the meantime, Akpoti-Uduaghan has lauded ongoing efforts by the EFCC to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governor of Kogi State.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement by her media aide, Arogbonlo Israel, on Friday in Abuja, charged the anti-graft agency to ensure thorough prosecution of the former governor.
She said, “No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption.
She also commended the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu.
The Senator emphasised the need for the EFCC to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against Bello are merely a witch hunt.
She expressed surprise at Bello’s excuse for not attending the EFCC’s invitation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan reminded Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi State.
She said, “I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer.
“As a former governor, Bello should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands.
“As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far.”
Also, former Delta State Gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke has asked the embattled former Kogi State to submit himself to the operatives of the EFCC for investigation.
The PDP chieftain, in a statement issued in Warri, on Friday, urged him to emulate former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and other important Nigerians who have honoured EFCC’s invitations in the past
“Why is he running? He should submit himself for investigation if his cupboard is so clean. The attempt to delay is not the best in this situation. He should have copied people like former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose who honoured the EFCC invitation as soon as he left the government.
“It is a very simple thing. You have been invited by EFCC, you should go and explain yourself. He is not above the law. He is like any other Nigerian,” he stated.
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Sunday Aborisade and Sylvester Idowu
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