Fleeing former Kogi governor paid fees until 2035, costing USD 845,000- Court documents

For the past two weeks, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which is equivalent to Cameroon’s National Anti Corruption Commission, CONAC, has been trailing the footsteps of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Belo.

Court documents show that he withdrew about USD 720,000 from state treasury to pay school fees for his children. The same documents show that the total fees that would see them graduate by 2035, cost Yahaya Belo,USD 845,000.

The fees were paid into the accounts of the American International School Abuja, where his children are attending school.

Mr. Belo who was summoned by the Commission refused to appear citing fears of being arrested.

The EFCC launched a manhunt at his Wuse residence in Abuja but failed to arrest him due to protection by friends.

Nigerians have been pouring their anger on social media, “These schools and other such colonial agents are conduit pipes syphoning our commonwealth to the West. The Bello saga is just one in many unfortunate tales of how the West continues to connive with corrupt politicians and plunder our resources.” A Facebook user said.

Another person raised concerns on the potential refund, asking if the present government of Kogi state will not use the money, if it is refunded.

While others questioned why fees were being paid in dollars.

“How will a school in Nigeria be receiving payment in dollars. The most recent of these schools is the Charterhouse school in Lekki that went viral when their admission fees and school fees were released. Except th!eves and politicians like Yahyah Bello, very few in Nigeria can afford such schools. The west keep siphoning our wealth. If EFCC hadn’t come out to investigate, a whooping sum of $700,000 would have been kept by the school. How on earth do you keep such money when you know the actual amount you are due to collect?”