Yesterday, the American International School in Abuja (AISA) confirmed the refund of $760,000 in school fees that had been paid in advance by the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for the education of his five children.

Head of the school, Greg Hughes, said in a statement in Abuja that the refund “underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria.”

He said: “Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the school clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.

“Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”

He said the school authorities “will refrain from making any further comments” on the issue for now.

The Nation had reported yesterday that the school had indeed refunded $760,910.84 to the EFCC from the $845,852 school fees allegedly deposited  by Bello as fees for his children.

The fees were to cover a period of 14 years (2021–2035), according to documents filed in court by the EFCC to support its case against the ex-governor.

Sources said the refund was made in two tranches of $720,000 and $40,910.

Bello’s Media Office dismissed the allegations as blackmail and said the fees were not proceeds of corruption as claimed by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency is currently prosecuting the former governor for defrauding the state to the tune of N80.2 billion.