Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi, has denied the allegations that he paid his children school fees from the state’s account.

Bello denied the allegations in a statement released by his media office on Friday, stating that his children have been attending the American International School before he became governor.

Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had earlier accused Bello of paying his children school fees in advance from Kogi’s coffers.

Several documents circulating on social media also revealed how the former governor paid $845,000 for his children’s school fees.

However, Bello has refuted these claims, saying that he didn’t pay the fees from the state’s account.

The statement released by his media office stated that Bello’s children have been students at the American International School, Abuja, since before his governorship, with fees paid promptly.

Contrary to allegations by the EFCC chairman, the former governor said that he did not pay $720,000 or $840,000 for school fees.

The statement added that the fee payments began in 2021, not at the end of Bello’s term as Kogi governor.

According to the statement, a legal challenge prevented the EFCC from recovering funds paid to the American International School Abuja, with the FCT High Court ruling in favor of Bello’s family members.

Documents related to the fee payments, released online by the EFCC, were public records filed by Bello’s lawyers, the media office stated.

“Now, let it be known that, contrary to misleading narratives by the EFCC, all the documents published online i.e. receipts and letters, that the EFCC has released online, in furtherance of its unrelenting persecution of the former Governor, are documents filed by lawyers in the suit instituted on behalf of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others who paid fees for their wards under the Advance Fee Payment Agreement with AISA,” the statement reads.


The legitimacy of the fee payments is currently under judicial review in charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, it added.

The statement reminded parties of the legal principle of sub judice, urging restraint from prejudicial actions.

Bello’s office emphasised his adherence to due process and the rule of law, stating that no amount of blackmail would deter him.

“Finally, our Principal, Yahaya Bello, doesn’t visit law enforcement agencies “through the backdoor”. He has insisted on following due process in line with the rule of law. No amount of blackmail will intimidate him,” it concluded.

Nigeria forward Victor Boniface admitted that missing out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was a painful experience for him.

Boniface missed the competition due to an injury.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker sustained an adductor injury during the Super Eagles’ preparation for the competition.

The 23-year-old spent three months on the sidelines due to the setback.

The striker returned to action at the end of last month.

“It was difficult, one of the most painful moments of my career—not only the injury itself but, of course, also my absence from the Africa Cup of Nations and some important Bundesliga games,” Boniface told AFP via Transfermarkt.

“But that’s football; you have ups; you have downs. It’s about your attitude and your mindset. You need the right people around you in moments like this. I had the support of the club; that was important.”

President Bola Tinubu has appointed renowned banker and businessman, Mr. Jim Ovia, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The appointment was disclosed in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday.

Ngelale noted that the President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds.

According to the Special Adviser, Ovia will be tasked with ensuring that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.

“Mr. Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.

“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.

“The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage,” the statement read in part.

President Tinubu on April 3, signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law.

The amended bill was signed after he initially signed the student loan bill into law back in June 2023, to offer financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.

Following the earlier signing of the bill, its implementation faced delays due to various issues hindering its rollout.

Speaking after he signed the amended bill, the president said, “ First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.”

“We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”

“We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of college and give up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.”