In a significant development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, an official from the American International School revealed that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello paid an astonishing $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including a hefty advance of $845,852 to secure future enrollment for his younger children. The disclosure was made by Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, who testified as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Ojehomon, the payments covered Bello’s children’s education until graduation and were made in two parts. One part consisted of the actual tuition fees for four of his children currently enrolled at the school, while the other was a prepayment for future tuition. He further explained that the advanced payment was made to secure spots for Bello’s younger children, expected to join the school starting in August 2022 if space was available.
The amounts paid for the children’s tuition were detailed as follows: $90,074 for a daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for a daughter in Grade 6, $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for a daughter in Grade 2. Additionally, Ojehomon confirmed that the school had entered into a contractual agreement with Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s brother, to facilitate the payment process.
The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), submitted the school’s financial records, including documents outlining the tuition payments, as evidence in the case. During the proceedings, Ojehomon also testified that part of the payment, amounting to $760,910.84, was refunded by the school following an investigation into the matter.
The court also heard testimony from Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA), who had previously submitted additional financial records related to transactions involving the Kogi State Government House account. Abimbola detailed several withdrawals from the account, including N10 million tranches, which were processed in favor of individuals Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.
Despite this, defense counsel pointed out that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the financial documents connected to the transactions. Under cross-examination, Abimbola admitted that she was not the account officer for the Government House account and clarified that the account was managed in Lokoja, Kogi State, rather than her branch in Abuja.
The EFCC has accused Bello of a N80.2 billion fraud in connection with various financial mismanagements during his time in office. The trial, which continues to unfold, was adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite to March 6, 2025, for further hearings.
