An official from the American International School, Abuja, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children. This amount included an advance payment of $845,852 for the future enrollment of his younger children.
Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, testified as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments covered Bello’s children’s tuition up to graduation.
According to Ojehomon, the payments were made in two tranches, with part of the sum allocated as a prepayment for future tuition fees.
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 payments made on behalf of Bello’s children.
At a previous hearing on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, testified under subpoena and submitted documents showing transactions related to the school fees. The EFCC had earlier alleged that, shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees. The commission also claimed that the school later refunded the amount following an investigation.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the payment. He told the court, “On Friday, August 13, Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees in full until graduation. The school management accepted the offer.”
He further revealed that the payments covered four of Bello’s children, who were in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2 at the time. Additionally, advance payment was made for younger children yet to be enrolled, with an expected start date in August 2022, depending on available space.
Breaking down the payments, Ojehomon stated:
- $90,074 was paid for a daughter in Grade 8
- $87,470 for a daughter in Grade 6
- $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4
- $18,707 for a daughter in Grade 2
He also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello outlining the prepayment arrangement.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), submitted the school’s admission documents and prepaid tuition fee records as exhibits.
When questioned about refunds to the EFCC, Ojehomon confirmed that “$760,910.84 was refunded” and that the EFCC provided an account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the refund.
Further testimony was provided by Williams, the second prosecution witness from UBA, who submitted additional financial documents, including statements from accounts managed under Bello’s administration. She testified that multiple withdrawals were made via 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. Williams confirmed that on December 12, 2018, “ten transactions of N10 million each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu.”
She also named key signatories on the account, including Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant).
However, during cross-examination, she admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.
“The name Yahaya Bello does not feature in exhibits P1 to P27,” defense counsel Daudu pointed out. Williams responded, “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.”
She further acknowledged that she was not the account officer overseeing the Kogi Government House account, which was managed from Lokoja, Kogi State, rather than her Abuja branch.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for continuation of proceedings.
