The media office of ex-Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied allegations that he used state funds to fund his children’s school fees.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday alleged that Bello withdrew cash from the Kogi State Government Account, exchanged it through Bureau De Change operators, and used the funds to pay his children’s school fees in advance before leaving office.
However, in a statement on Friday, Bello’s media office denied Olukoyede’s claims, stating, “His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC Chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.”
It further clarified that the payment of fees commenced in 2021, well before Bello’s tenure ended.
The media office emphasised that Bello’s children attended the American International School in Abuja before he became governor, and he has consistently paid their fees without fail.
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the fees of his children with monies from the coffers of the Kogi State Government,” the statement said.
Regarding EFCC’s involvement, the statement revealed that a family member challenged the EFCC’s attempt to recover the legitimately paid fees.
It said the FCT High Court ruled in favour of the family member, stating that the American International School could not unilaterally refund the fees to a third party, including the EFCC.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that no money belonging to Alhaji Yahaya Bello or his family members with regard to school fees has been recovered by the EFCC,” the statement affirmed.
