Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has released a statement to clarify what he deemed misleading regarding allegations surrounding the payment of school fees for his children.
The controversy began on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, when the chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede alleged during a media briefing that Bello withdrew funds from the Kogi State Government account to pay his children’s school fees, just before leaving office.
In response to the accusations, the embattled former governor released a statement signed by Ohiare Michael, which included several crucial details to set the record straight. The statement titled “Payment for school fees: Setting the records straight”, partly read:“His Excellency, Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became Governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.”
“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC Chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.”“The payment of the fees was not effected at about the time his Excellency was to leave office as claimed by Mr. Olukoyede but same commenced in 2021.”
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello DID NOT pay the fees of his Children with monies from the Coffers of the Kogi State Government.”
“When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid.”
The statement also referenced a court case, Suit No. FCT/HC/2574/2023, where the FCT High Court ruled in favor of Bello, stating that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund fees paid by the parties to the suit.
The statement concluded: “From the foregoing, it is clear that no money belonging to Alhaji Yahaya Bello or his family members with regard to school fees has been recovered by the EFCC… We state that the payment of these fees and the legitimacy thereof is the subject matter of Charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022, filed by the EFCC since 15th December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Charge is pending and the Court has yet to make any finding or convicted anyone in respect of the said sum.”
