In the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, an official from the American International School in Abuja testified on Wednesday that 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 his younger children who were yet to be enrolled in the school.
Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, provided this testimony as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He confirmed that the payments covered the tuition fees of Bello’s children until their graduation.
Ojehomon explained that the payments were made in two tranches, with one portion serving as an advance for future tuition fees. Bello is currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud charge filed by the EFCC, and the testimony is part of the evidence presented against him.
During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records, including statements from the American International School, detailing the 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), 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 as an advance for his children’s school fees. The commission further claimed that the school refunded the money following an investigation into the matter.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the payment process. He 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.”
The witness revealed that the payments covered four of Bello’s children, who were enrolled in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2. Additionally, he confirmed that payment was also made for future children who were yet to be enrolled at the time, with an expected start date of August 2022, provided space was available.
Ojehomon further detailed the breakdown of the payments: “$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.”
The witness also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello, outlining the prepayment arrangement. EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), tendered the school’s admission and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits.
When asked if any funds were refunded to the EFCC, Ojehomon stated, “$760,910.84 was refunded.” He also confirmed that the EFCC provided an account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the refund.
Further testimony was given by Williams, the second prosecution witness from UBA, who submitted additional financial documents, including statements from accounts operated under Bello’s administration. She testified that multiple withdrawals were made through 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, under 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 noted, to which Williams responded, “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.” She further admitted that she was not the account officer in charge of the Kogi Government House account and that the account was managed from Lokoja, Kogi State, rather than her branch in Area 3, Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for continuation of proceedings.
This case highlights the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute allegations of financial misconduct involving high-profile individuals. The testimony and evidence presented in court underscore the complexity of the case and the significant sums of money involved.
As the trial progresses, further developments are expected to shed more light on the allegations against Bello and the broader implications for accountability and transparency in public office. Tag- EFCC, ICPC, Ministry of Education, Kogi State government
