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.

Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has urged the American International School Abuja to explain why it accepted a $760,000 advance payment from former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for his children’s school fees.

Recall that Bello, who is currently at large after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged financial misappropriation, had allegedly paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children.

The former governor allegedly paid the money to the American International School from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.

The school, on Friday, reportedly asked EFCC to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of the alleged fees.

Akande, an ex-aide to the former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Inside Sources, on Friday, wondered why the school would accept upfront payment for several years.

“And we are told that the rule in the school is that you don’t pay more than two years max, in advance,” he said.

Akande also lamented the drama that played out between the former governor and the anti-graft agency last week, saying Bello was behaving like a fugitive.

“More befuddling, however, last week, Governor Usman Ododo allegedly whisked his predecessor away to prevent the EFCC from arresting him in Abuja.

“Both of them, their conduct is a big shame to all of us as a people and country. We have a former governor behaving like a fugitive. Why is Bello afraid of arrest?” he added.

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.”