EFCC confirms receipt of $760,000 refund from Abuja American School linked to Yahaya Bello
EFCC confirms receipt of $760,000 refund from Abuja American School linked to Yahaya Bello
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has verified receiving a refund of $760,910 from the American International School in Abuja. The reimbursement was made in relation to advance school fees previously paid by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for his children.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for EFCC, substantiated this development during an interview with Channels Television on Saturday. “The refund was initiated following a letter dated October 24, 2022, where the school requested the anti-graft agency’s authentic banking details to facilitate the repayment as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering activities involving the Bello family.”
“It was disclosed that a total of $845,852 was remitted to the school between September 2021 and October 2022.
Following deductions for educational services rendered during this period, the remaining sum of $760,910 was repaid to the EFCC by the American International School.”
Yahaya Bello currently faces prosecution on 19 charges related to money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion. The case is being heard before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
EFCC chief, Ola Olukoyede, who vowed to pursue legal actions against Bello or resign, alleged that the former governor withdrew $720,000 from the state’s accounts to prepay his child’s school fees before leaving office on January 27, 2024.
Subsequently, following attempts by EFCC operatives to arrest Bello on April 17, 2024, after he was declared wanted, Governor Usman Ododo reportedly facilitated his evasion, leading to controversial circumstances.
Concurrently, a Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has summoned the EFCC chairman to attend court proceedings on May 13, 2024. The directive aims to address allegations of defiance against a court order and to establish reasons for potential contempt charges related to actions taken by the anti-graft agency subsequent to a court restraint issued on February 9, 2024.
