The American International School Abuja (AISA) has clarified issues in respect of its decision to refund the school fees paid by the former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello allegedly paid the sum of $845, 852 to the school between September 2021 and October 2022 in advance fees of his children from the purse of the Kogi State government.
The children are in grade levels 2 to 8 at the school.
The school said it deducted the educational services charges rendered between during the period, with the remaining amount being $760, 910.
The head of school, Greg Hughes, said the school actually turned in the funds in compliance with the commission’s request and denied any wrongdoing.
He also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding institutional integrity and respect for institutions in the country.
“Our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria.
The statement reads: “Recent media reports have highlighted issues between the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AISA and a family with children enrolled at the school, stemming from an investigation carried out in 2022.
“As a school, we did accept an advance payment for school fees, and duly documented these fees in our records.
“Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.
“At no point has the school been accused of any wrongdoing about this case, and we are cooperating fully with the EFCC to address matters currently before the courts.
“As these legal matters are being resolved within the Nigerian judicial system and involve one of our families, we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.
“As an institution, we remain committed to providing excellent service to our school community in line with our core values, vision and mission.”
The school had in a letter dated October 24, 2022, wrote to the EFCC, asking it to provide authentic banking details for the refund of the money “as part of investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC acknowledged the receipt of the money.
Spokesman for the anti-graft agency, Mr Dele Oyewale confirmed at the weekend.
“The school has refunded the entire $760, 000 to the EFCC recovery account,” Oyewale said.
