A prosecution witness in the ongoing fraud case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the ex-governor paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children at the American International School, Abuja, including an advance payment of $845,852 for children yet to be enrolled.
Testifying on Wednesday, Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, revealed that the payments covered the tuition of Bello’s children until their graduation.
According to him, the payments were made in two tranches, with part of the funds serving as an advance for future tuition fees.
“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,” Ojehomon told the court.
He further broke down the payments, stating that “$90,074 was paid for Bello’s daughter in Grade 8; $87,470 for his daughter in Grade 6; $26,241 for his daughter in Grade 4; and $18,707 for his daughter in Grade 2.”
Bello, who is currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, allegedly made these payments shortly before leaving office.
The EFCC presented financial records, including statements from the American International School, detailing the transactions.
It also alleged that the school refunded $760,910.84 after investigations into the matter.
Ojehomon confirmed the refund, stating, “$760,910.84 was refunded.” He also acknowledged that the EFCC provided an account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the reimbursement.
Meanwhile, another prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, submitted financial documents detailing transactions from accounts linked to Bello’s administration.
She testified that multiple withdrawals were made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, often in N10 million tranches.
According to her, “Ten transactions of N10m each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018.”
However, during cross-examination, she admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions.
“The name Yahaya Bello does not feature in exhibits P1 to P27,” defense counsel Daudu pointed out. In response, Williams stated, “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.”
She also acknowledged that she was not the account officer in charge of the Kogi Government House account, adding that it was managed from Lokoja, not her branch in Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for continuation of proceedings.
