By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking to refund school fees worth $720,000 paid in advance by the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State.
In a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, the school said the sum of $845,852 had been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date”.
TheFact Daily recalls that EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja on April 17, 2024 in an attempt to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. While the operatives were at the house, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the property and reportedly whisked Bello away.
AISA said the sum to be refunded was $760,910, because it had deducted educational services already rendered.
Bello allegedly paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi state government.
The children are in grade level 2 to 8 at the school.
AISA’s letter read in part: “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 school said it will draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there are any further deposits by the Bello family.
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said, “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School”.
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