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An official from the American International School in Abuja testified at the High Court on Wednesday that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello made a total payment of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, which included an advance payment of $845,852 for future enrollment of his younger children in the school.
Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the institution, revealed this while giving testimony as a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He affirmed that the payments would cover Bello’s children’s tuition until they graduate. He explained that the total amount was disbursed in two parts, with one serving as advance tuition for future fees.
According to Ojehomon, “$90,074 was paid for Bello’s daughter in Grade 8; $87,470 for his daughter in Grade 6; $26,241 for his daughter in Grade 4; and $18,707 for his daughter in Grade 2.”
During the trial, the prosecution introduced financial documents, including the American International School records, which outlined the tuition payments made on behalf of Bello’s children.
In a prior session on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a United Bank for Africa Plc compliance officer, provided documents under subpoena showing financial transactions connected to the school fees.
The EFCC previously argued that just before leaving his position, Bello paid $760,000 as an advance on his children’s tuition. After investigating the situation, the commission also claimed that the school returned the money.
In Thursday’s proceedings, Ojehomon said that Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s brother, played a role in facilitating the payment. The witness also pointed to a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello detailing the repayment terms.
Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the EFCC’s lawyer, presented the admission and prepaid tuition documents from the school as evidence.
When asked if any funds had been refunded to the EFCC, Ojehomon replied that $760,910.84 was indeed refunded. He also confirmed that the EFCC provided a bank account at the Central Bank of Nigeria to process the refund.
Further testimony was offered by Williams, the second prosecution witness from UBA, who delivered additional financial records, including account statements from those managed during Bello’s tenure. She said several withdrawals occurred through checks issued from the Kogi State Government House account.
The withdrawals, often made in increments of N10 million, were predominantly issued to two individuals: Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to March 7 to continue proceedings.
