An Internal auditor from the American International School in Abuja testified on Wednesday in the Federal High Court that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid over $1.6 million in tuition fees for his children. This amount includes an advance payment of $845,852 for his younger children, who are expected to enroll in the school in the future.
Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, provided this information while serving as a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments would cover the tuition fees for Yahaya Bello’s children until they graduate.
The total payment was made in two parts, with one portion designated as an advance for future tuition. Bello is currently facing fraud charges amounting to N80.2 billion, filed by the EFCC.
During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records from the American International School that detailed the payments made for Yahaya Bello’s children. In a previous hearing, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa, submitted documents showing transactions related to the school fees.
The EFCC has alleged that Bello made a $760,000 advance payment for his children’s school fees shortly before leaving office, and they claim that the school later refunded this amount after an investigation.
Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, was involved in the payment process. He explained that Ali Bello contacted the school on August 13, asking to pay the tuition fees for his brother’s children until they graduate, which the school accepted.
The payments covered four of Bello’s children, who are enrolled in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2. Ojehomon also confirmed that payments were made for future children who were not yet enrolled, with plans for them to start in August 2022, pending available space.
He detailed the specific amounts paid for each child: $90,074 for the daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for the daughter in Grade 6, $26,241 for the daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for the daughter in Grade 2. Ojehomon also identified a contract between the school and Ali Bello regarding the prepayment arrangement.
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EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro submitted the school’s admission and prepaid tuition documents as evidence. When asked about any refunds to the EFCC, Ojehomon stated that $760,910.84 was refunded and confirmed that the EFCC had provided an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for this refund.
Further testimony was given by Williams, who presented more financial documents showing withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House account. She noted that multiple transactions were made in N10 million increments, mainly to two individuals, Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.
Williams confirmed that on December 12, 2018, ten transactions of N10 million each were processed for Abdulsalam Hudu. She also named key signatories on the account but admitted under cross-examination that the name Yahaya Bello did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.
Justice Emeka Nwite has adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for further proceedings.
