An official of the American International School, Abuja, has testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja, revealing that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children. The amount included an advance payment of $845,852 for younger children yet to be enrolled.
The school’s auditor, Nicholas Ojehomon, made this disclosure on Wednesday while testifying as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments covered the children’s education up to graduation.
According to Ojehomon, the funds were paid in two tranches, with part of it serving as an advance for future fees.
Bello is currently facing an N80.2 billion fraud charge filed by the EFCC.
During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records, including documents from the school detailing payments made on behalf of Bello’s children. The court had earlier heard testimony from a UBA compliance officer, Williams Abimbola, who submitted transaction records linked to the payments.
The EFCC had alleged that shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance school fees, which was later refunded following an investigation.
Testifying further, Ojehomon stated that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the payment process, contacting the school on August 13, 2021, to arrange prepayment for the children’s education. The payments covered four of Bello’s children in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2.
He provided a breakdown of the payments:
Grade 8: $90,074
Grade 6: $87,470
Grade 4: $26,241
Grade 2: $18,707
Ojehomon also confirmed that an additional payment was made for future children, expected to enroll by August 2022, subject to availability.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), tendered the school’s admission records and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits.
When asked about any refunds, Ojehomon confirmed that the school returned $760,910.84 to an EFCC-provided account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Further testimony came from UBA official Williams, who presented additional financial documents. She revealed that multiple withdrawals were made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, primarily in N10 million tranches, paid to Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.
She noted that on December 12, 2018, ten separate withdrawals of N10 million each were made in favor of Hudu. She also identified 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 Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for the continuation of proceedings.
