NEWS
Abuja American School Refunds $760k For Yahaya Bello’s Children – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged the reimbursement of $760,000.00 initially paid by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as advance school fees for his children attending the American International School, Abuja.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed this update in Abuja on Friday.
He said, “The school has refunded the entire $ 760, 000 to the EFCC’s recovery account.”
Earlier, the American International School of Abuja had urged the EFCC to provide valid banking information for the reimbursement of fees paid for the ex-governor’s children.
Allegedly, Bello used $720,000 from Kogi State Government funds to prepay tuition for five of his children enrolled in Grades 2 to 8.
Recall that on April 17, EFCC operatives besieged Bello’s residence in Abuja in a bid to apprehend him regarding an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
During the operation at the residence, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo reportedly arrived and escorted Bello away.
In a letter directed to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, the school stated that $845,852 had been paid in tuition “from September 7, 2021, to the present.”
AISA noted that $760,910 is the refundable amount after deducting already provided educational services.
The letter reads “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.
“Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 in tuition and other fees have been deposited into our bank account.
The calculated net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the rendered educational services, stands at $760,910.84.
“No further additional fees are anticipated for tuition as the students’ fees have been settled until their graduation from ASIA.”
The school stated that it would alert the anti-graft agency if any further deposits were made by the Bello family.
In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also disclosed, “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday, August 13, 2021, requesting to prepay the family’s school fees until the students graduate from High School.”
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede previously disclosed that the former governor transferred $720,000 from the government’s funds to a bureau de change before leaving office, intending to prepay his child’s school fees.
Olukoyede made this revelation during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated, “A sitting governor, because he knows he is going, moved money directly from government to bureau de change, used it to pay the child’s school fee in advance, $720,000 in advance, in anticipation that he was going to leave the Government House.
“In a poor state like Kogi, and you want me to close my eyes to that under the guise of ‘I’m being used.’ Being used by who at this stage of my life?”he added
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
Lagos Pastor Suspends Offering Collection
JUST IN: Iranian President’s Helicopter Crashes In Azerbaijan
Shots Heard As DR Congo Military Thwarts Alleged Coup
Gov Soludo Dismisses All 21 Anambra Transition Committee Heads
Usyk Defeats Fury To Become Undisputed Champion
NCDMB’s Exec Sec, Ogbe Bags NSE’s Fellowship
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
