Abuja-based American International School of Abuja (AISA) has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting the agency to designate an account for it to refund $760, 000 school fees paid by the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, in advance for his children’s school fees.
Bello, who is now a fugitive, was alleged to have paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi State government.
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.
“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).
“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 said in part.
The school further pledged to draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there are any further deposits by the Bello family.