The immediate past governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has debunked allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he withdrew the sum of US $720,000 or “$840,000 being bandied on the Internet” from the Kogi state government’s account to pay his children’s school fees, just before leaving office.
The chairman of the EFCC had in a press conference, alleged that Bello withdrew $720,000 from a government account to pay his children’s school fees in advance.
In a statement Friday signed by Ohiare Michael of Bello’s media office, the former governor said he did not pay the fees of his children with monies from the coffers of the Kogi state government.
The statement read in part: “His Excellency, Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.
“The payment of the fees was not effected at about the time his Excellency was to leave office as claimed by Mr. Olukoyede but the same commenced in 2021.
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello DID NOT pay the fees of his Children with monies from the Coffers of the Kogi state government.
“When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid. The FCT High Court, in Suit No.
FCT/HC/2574/2023 between: Mr. Ali Bello v. The Incorporated Trustees of American International School, Abuja, held that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund to a third party, including the EFCC, fees paid by the parties to the suit.”
