An internal auditor of the American International School in Abuja, Nicholas Ojehomon, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, paid his children’s school fees in dollars up until their graduation. The revelation was made on Thursday during the ongoing trial of Bello, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly paying $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees shortly before leaving office.
Ojehomon, who testified as a witness, stated that he did not know Yahaya Bello personally at the time but was aware that he was a parent who had enrolled four of his children in the school. He identified the former governor’s children as Zayan Bello, Zara Bello, Farid Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Nana Fatima Bello.
The witness detailed the payments made by Bello, revealing that 87,470 for Zara Bello, 18,707 for Nana Bello.
Ojehomon told the court, “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees until they graduate. The school management accepted his offer.”
He tendered the agreement for prepaid tuition fees to the court, which confirmed that Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin, had contacted the school in 2021 to pay the children’s fees in advance until their graduation.
The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, also presented several documents as evidence, including email correspondences between Ali Bello and the school, statements of account from TD Bank USA and the American International School, certified copies of the AISA admission letters for Bello’s children, a contractual agreement for prepaid tuition, and teller copies of payments. The court admitted these documents as exhibits.
In a related development, the school has requested a valid account number from the EFCC to refund the prepaid fees. The refund is to be made into a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the case highlights the EFCC’s efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged financial misconduct by public officials. The trial continues as the anti-graft agency seeks to establish its case against the former governor.
The revelations have sparked public interest, with many questioning the source of the funds used for the advance payments. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for accountability and transparency in public office.