Ex-Gov Bello paid $845,852 in advance for children’s future enrollment

An official from the American International School, Abuja, has revealed that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for their future enrollment.

Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He confirmed that the payments covered the tuition of Bello’s children until graduation.

According to him, the amount was paid in two tranches, with a significant portion serving as an advance payment for his children who had not yet enrolled.

Bello is currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud charge filed by the EFCC.

During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records, including statements from the American International School detailing the payments made on behalf of Bello’s children.

The EFCC had previously alleged that shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 as an advance for his children’s tuition. The commission also claimed that the school refunded the money following an investigation.

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During Thursday’s proceedings, Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, handled the payment process.

“Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees until they graduate. The school management accepted his offer,” he told the court.

The witness further explained that the payments covered four of Bello’s children, who were enrolled in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2 at the time. Additionally, he confirmed that payment had also been made for future children yet to be enrolled, with an expected start date of August 2022, provided space was available.

Ojehomon provided a breakdown of the fees:
– $90,074for Bello’s daughter in Grade 8
– $87,470 for his daughter in Grade 6
– $26,241 for his daughter in Grade 4
– $18,707 for his daughter in Grade 2

The witness also presented a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello, outlining the prepayment arrangement.

EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) tendered the school’s admission and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits.

When asked whether any funds had been refunded, Ojehomon confirmed “$760,910.84 was refunded.”

He also stated that the EFCC provided a Central Bank of Nigeria account to which the refund was made.

Further testimony was given by Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer from United Bank for Africa (UBA). She submitted additional financial records, including statements from accounts linked to Bello’s administration.

Williams testified that multiple withdrawals were made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account. The transactions, often broken into N10 million tranches, were primarily issued to two individuals: Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.

She confirmed that on December 12, 2018, ten transactions of N10 million each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu.

Williams also listed key signatories on the account, including: Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant) and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant)

However, under cross-examination, Williams admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the financial transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.

Defense counsel, Daudu, asked: “The name Yahaya Bello does not feature in exhibits P1 to P27?” Williams responded: “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.”

She also acknowledged that she was not the account officer for the Kogi Government House account and that the account was managed from Lokoja, Kogi State, rather than from her UBA branch in Area 3, Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for the continuation of proceedings.

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