American International School refunds $760k ‘advance fees’ paid for Yahaya Bello’s kids to EFCC

In a dramatic session at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello took a startling turn as witnesses detailed a trail of global wire transfers and cash-filled bags.

A prosecution witness, Nicholas Okehone, an Internal Auditor at the American International School Abuja (AISA), testified that a staggering $760,910.84 was paid as advance school fees for Bello’s children.

According to Okehone, an agreement titled “Pre-Paid School Fees Until Graduation” was signed between the school and Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew. The payments reportedly originated from various international sources, including:

The witness confirmed that the school has since refunded the total sum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The court also heard from Yakubu Haruna, a lawyer involved in a 2022 property deal. Haruna narrated how a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, was sold to White Tree Nigeria Limited for ₦950 million.

In a scene reminiscent of a crime thriller, Haruna testified.

“A man came with the dollar equivalent of ₦950 million in Ghana-Must-Go bags. After confirmation, my client directed the Bureau de Change operator to take custody of the money.”

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on:

Other witnesses detailed further transactions, including a ₦650 million property in Wuse II and a ₦100 million land deal in Gwarimpa, both allegedly linked to the defendants through Bureau de Change operators.

Justice Maryanne Anineh has admitted the documents as Exhibits AX1 to AX13 and adjourned the case to May 5 and 8, 2026, for further hearing.