Court Hears Testimony on $760,910 School Fee Payments for Former Governor's Children
A key witness in the ongoing ₦110.4 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has provided detailed testimony about substantial school fee payments made for his children. Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at American International School Abuja (AISA), told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama that a total of $760,910.84 was paid under a special agreement to cover tuition until graduation.
Details of the Pre-Paid Tuition Agreement
Okehone, who testified as Prosecution Witness 14 before Justice Maryanne Anineh, explained that the school entered into a "Pre-Paid School Fees Until Graduation" arrangement with the Bello family. The agreement was reportedly signed by Grace Hudge, the Head of School at AISA, and Ali Bello on behalf of the family.
The witness confirmed that Yahaya Bello had four children enrolled at the institution: Zahra Bello, Na'ima Bello, Nana Fatima Bello, and Farid Bello. Additionally, Zayyan Ali Bello, a son of Ali Bello who is the former governor's nephew, was identified as another beneficiary of the payments.
International Transfers and Corporate Payments
Okehone provided the court with specific details about how the payments were made through multiple international transfers from various companies and individuals:
- $49,600 and $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas
- $78,160 and $42,170 from Alyeshua Solutions Services
- Multiple $75,000 transfers from Unnati General Trading LLC through a bank in the United Arab Emirates
- Additional payments from individuals and companies in Uganda, including transfers of $100,000 and $90,000 for beneficiaries linked to the Bello family
The witness confirmed several documents tendered in court, including admission letters, certificates of identification, email correspondence with the school, bank payment records, and letters exchanged with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Refund to Anti-Graft Agency
Okehone testified that the school later refunded the entire amount after correspondence with the EFCC. "The American International School wrote to the EFCC indicating its intention to refund the school fees paid," he explained. "The EFCC then provided account details, and the school refunded the total sum of $760,910.84 to an EFCC account with the Central Bank of Nigeria."
Additional Testimony in the Fraud Trial
Earlier in the proceedings, another prosecution witness, Yakubu Haruna, testified about the sale of a property located on Danube Street in Maitama, Abuja. He stated that the property, consisting of four detached housing units, was sold in January 2022 to White Tree Nigeria Limited for ₦950 million, which he claimed was delivered in United States dollars at an office in Abuja.
The trial also featured testimony from bank officials and legal practitioners regarding other property transactions linked to the case. Yahaya Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
After hearing the witnesses, Justice Anineh adjourned the matter to May 5 and 8, as well as June 16 and 17, 2026, for the continuation of the trial and hearing of pending applications.
