EFCC confirms receipt of $760,000 from Abuja American school
The American International School, Abuja, has reimbursed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a sum of $760,910, which was an advanced school fee payment made by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for his children.
This information was confirmed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on national television on Saturday.
The reimbursement followed a request from the school, outlined in an October 24, 2022 letter, urging the anti-graft agency to provide its accurate banking details for the refund.
This action was part of an investigation into alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.
Between September 2021 and October 2022, a total of $845,852 was reportedly paid to the school. The school accounted for educational services rendered during that period, resulting in a balance of $760,910.
Yahaya Bello is currently facing prosecution by the EFCC on 19 counts related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion.
The case is being heard before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
EFCC Chief Ola Olukoyede alleged that the former governor withdrew $720,000 from the state’s accounts to prepay his child’s school fees just before leaving office on January 27, 2024.
Following Governor Usman Ododo’s alleged interference, which prevented EFCC operatives from arresting Bello at his Abuja residence on April 17, 2024, the anti-graft commission declared Bello wanted.
In another development, a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has summoned the EFCC chairman to appear in court on May 13, 2024, to justify why an order of committal should not be issued against him for allegedly disobeying a court order.
The EFCC chairman faces a contempt charge for actions taken despite a court injunction issued on February 9, 2024, pending the resolution of the substantive originating motion.
Writing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade
