The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has formally contacted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the agency to provide verified banking details for the reimbursement of fees paid for the children of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Allegedly, Bello utilized state funds to make a prepayment of $720,000 in school fees for five of his children at AISA, ranging from grade levels 2 to 8. The EFCC’s attempt to apprehend Bello over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud prompted this inquiry.

In a letter directed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, AISA disclosed that a total of $845,852 has been disbursed for tuition since September 7, 2021.

The school specified that $760,910, after deductions for educational services rendered, is eligible for refund to the EFCC as part of their ongoing investigation into the Bello family’s purported money laundering activities.

AISA emphasized the need for an official written request from the EFCC, including authenticated banking details, to facilitate the refund process. They confirmed that no additional fees are anticipated for tuition, as all outstanding payments have been settled until the students complete their education at AISA.

“Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family,” the letter reads.

“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and eighty-four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.

“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).

“No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”

The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has pledged to notify the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of any additional deposits made by the Bello family following their recent disclosure of a request for advance payment of school fees.

In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA revealed that Ali Bello contacted the school on August 13, 2021, seeking to prepay the family’s school fees until the students graduate from high school.

As the EFCC has declared Yahaya Bello wanted and placed him on a watchlist, AISA affirmed its commitment to cooperate with the anti-graft agency in its ongoing investigation.