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Yahaya Bello’s Fraud Trial: Court Reveals How He Paid His Children’s School Fees in Dollars Till Graduation

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In the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, charged with an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud, significant revelations emerged during the recent court proceedings. On March 6, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, heard testimonies shedding light on financial transactions linked to the defendant.

Advance Payment of Children’s School Fees

Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School of Abuja (AISA), testified about the advance payment of school fees for Yahaya Bello’s children. Also, he identified the children as Zayan Bello, Zara Bello, Farid Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Nana Fatima Bello, each admitted in different academic years.

Ojehomon revealed that in 2021, Ali Bello, a cousin of Yahaya Bello, contacted AISA to prepay the children’s tuition fees in U.S. dollars until their graduation. In addition, the payments amounted to $90,074 for Farid Bello, $87,470 for Zara Bello, $26,241 for Na’ima Bello, and $18,707 for Nana Bello.

Financial Documentation and Refunds

The prosecution presented various documents, including AISA admission letters, prepaid tuition agreements, payment records, email correspondences between Ali Bello and the school, and account statements from TD Bank USA and AISA.

These were admitted as exhibits without objection. Additionally, a letter from AISA to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated a refund of $750,910.84 to the EFCC, with instructions for the refund to be made to a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

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Testimony on Kogi State Government House Account

Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), testified about the Kogi State Government House account, revealing total credits of ₦53.56 billion and debits of ₦53.55 billion between January 2019 and December 2020. Also, she confirmed multiple ₦10 million withdrawals made in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018, processed via over-the-counter cheques.

American International School of Abuja

The American International School of Abuja, established in 1993, is a private, non-profit, coeducational institution offering programs from preschool through grade 12.

Located in Nigeria’s capital, AISA serves a diverse, multicultural community, providing a U.S.-based curriculum accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The school year comprises two semesters, running from August to June, with approximately 182 instructional days. AISA’s mission is to “Challenge, Collaborate, Empower: Inspiring Global Citizens to be Lifelong Learners.”

Following these testimonies, Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to March 7, 2025, for continuation. The proceedings are closely monitored, given the serious nature of the allegations against the former governor.

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WAEC Says English Exam Was Not Cancelled and Warns Against Fake News

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WAEC has debunked rumours that the English Language paper written on May 28 was cancelled. The exam, part of the ongoing WASSCE for school candidates, faced serious delays at several centres across the country. In some places, the paper meant to start by 9 a.m. didn’t begin until late at night, leaving students to write under poor conditions, with many using phone flashlights and torchlights to read their questions.

WAEC explained that it received reports of a possible paper leak and had to act fast to protect the credibility of the exam. But contrary to claims making rounds on social media, the council made it clear the paper was not cancelled. In a statement by Moyosola Adesina, the acting Head of Public Affairs, WAEC said a press release dated May 30 announcing the cancellation was fake and not from the council.

She said WAEC doesn’t know where the false information came from, but suspects it was shared by individuals trying to create panic and damage the council’s image. The Head of WAEC’s National Office, Amos Dangut, also commented on the situation, saying the late-night exams held in some areas were far below the council’s standards.


 

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Tinubu Welcomes Ademola Adeleke and Davido to His Home in Lagos

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for a private meeting at his Lagos residence on Monday. The governor was joined by his older brother, prominent businessman Chief Adedeji Adeleke, and his son, the internationally popular Afrobeats star David Adeleke, better known as Davido.

The visit was confirmed by President Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared the news on X the following day. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, accompanied by Chief Adedeji Adeleke and Afrobeats superstar Davido, at his Lagos home,” Olusegun posted.

So far, no details have been shared about the purpose of the meeting, and neither the Presidency nor the Adeleke family has made an official statement. Photos from the gathering have appeared online, offering a rare glimpse into the private talks between the President and the Adeleke family.


 

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Omokri Urges Tinubu to Focus on Nigeria’s Progress not Peter Obi’s Negativity

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Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has shared his advice on how President Bola Tinubu should handle Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement. Omokri suggests that instead of engaging with their negativity, Tinubu’s government should focus on highlighting its achievements and ongoing projects to outshine the critics.

Writing on X, Omokri emphasized the visible progress happening across Nigeria, especially in Abuja and Lagos. He pointed to major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is being built simultaneously from both ends, as well as the reconstruction of the Ile-Ife to Sokoto-Badagry Expressway and the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

“There’s development happening everywhere,” Omokri said. “The government should use every platform—TV, radio, print, social media—to showcase these efforts.” He also took a swipe at Obi’s supporters, saying, “While they praise leaders like Traoré, who hasn’t even reached the level of a local council chairman in Lagos, they criticize Nigeria harshly. Just the Third Mainland Bridge alone is worth half of Burkina Faso’s GDP.”

Omokri concluded by suggesting that if Obidients have nothing positive to say about Nigeria, perhaps they should consider moving to Burkina Faso.


 

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