Governor Yahaya Bello Drops Over $800K for His Children’s Education – Exclusive Details Revealed!

Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, provided this testimony as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments would cover the children’s tuition until graduation. Ojehomon explained that the payment was made in two parts, with one portion serving as an advance for future school fees. This testimony is part of Bello’s ongoing trial concerning an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case filed by the EFCC.

During the trial, financial records were presented, including statements from the American International School, detailing these transactions. Previously, on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, had testified under subpoena and submitted relevant documents.

The EFCC had earlier claimed that, shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees, a payment that was later refunded following an investigation.

Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, played a key role in facilitating the payments. He stated: “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, to request payment for the Bello children’s tuition fees until their graduation. The school accepted this arrangement.”

Ojehomon further disclosed that the payments covered four of Bello’s children, who were in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2, with additional payments made for future enrollment, contingent on availability from August 2022.

The auditor outlined the tuition fees, noting $90,074 for a daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for another in Grade 6, $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for a child in Grade 2. He also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello regarding the prepayment arrangement.

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

Ojehomon confirmed that the school refunded $760,910.84 to the EFCC, with the refund provided to an account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Additional testimony was given by UBA compliance officer Williams, who submitted further financial documents, including statements from accounts linked to Bello’s administration. She explained that multiple withdrawals were made from the Kogi State Government House account, often processed in ₦10 million tranches to individuals named Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.