The American International School of Abuja is set to return $760,910 of the $845,852 school fees which former Governor Yahaya Bello paid for his children’s school fees for the duration of 2021-2035.
The children are reportedly in grade levels 2 to 8.
The school has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide “authentic banking details” for them to refund the money.
In a letter directed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, the school said the sum of $845,852 has been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date”.
“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 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.” The letter reads.
The institution also said that on Friday 13 August 2021 Bello paid for his children’s fees for advance until they graduate.
The school went further to say that they would let the Agency know if any money is deposited by the Bello family.
Recall that on April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja in an attempt to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
While the operatives were at the house, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the property and reportedly whisked Bello away.
Some days after, The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that Yahaya Bello, transferred $720,000 from the government’s coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office to pay in advance for his child’s school fee.
The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted, with the NIS placing the ex-governor on a watchlist.
