American International School Agrees To Refund $845,000 Paid By Yahaya Bello For His Son’s Education
AMERICAN International School, Abuja has agreed to refund a total sum of $845,000 allegedly paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello for his son’s school fees.
The school in response to a letter from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asking it to return the money, said it was willing to comply with the directive
Recall that the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at a press briefing on Tuesday, revealed how the embattled former governor had withdrawn $720,000 from the state’s coffers to pay his child’s school fees.
Mr Bello is alleged to have signed a contract with the school to prepay $845,000 till 2034 for his eldest son identified as Ali Bello.
But with the discovery of the alleged heist committed by the ex-governor and with the EFCC intensifying its investigations, the agency directed the school to refund the money with immediate effect.
The school in response, however, accepted that Bello had made the said payment in September 2021 and has agreed to refund the sum of £760,000 after deducting its educational services rendered to the ex-governor’s son since 2021.
The school response which contained in a letter titled YOUR REQUEST FOR THE REFUND OF $760,910.84. IN RESPECT OF FEES PAID IN ADVANCE BY THE BELLO FAMILY AS A RESULT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CRIMES INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES partly reads;
“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 of September 2021 to date, Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and Eighty-Four Cents ($845,852.84) in tuition and other fees have 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 $760,510.64. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).
“No additional fees are expected for tuition as the student’s fees have not been settled until they graduate from ASIA, Should any further deposits be made into ASCAS bank accounts, we will disclose and inform you immediately without delay.”
The school also attached receipts and deeds of agreements signed between its management and Bello.
One of such agreements reads:
“Agreement between Mr. Ali Bello and AISA for prepaid school fees until graduation. Conditions include installment payments, potential fee increases, and refund policies. Signed by Mr. Greg Hughes for AISA and Mr. Ali Bello. Validated by the FCT High Court of Justice, Abuja.”
The former governor is currently wanted for an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
