A prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello on Thursday told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that a total of $760,910.84 was paid as advance school fees for Bello’s children at the American International School, Abuja (AISA).
Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at AISA and Prosecution Witness 14 (PW14), made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh, who is presiding over the trial. Bello is facing a 16-count charge, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving an alleged ₦110.4 billion.
Asked if he knew the former governor, Okehone replied:
“Yes, I know him as a parent. He has children in my institution. He has four children at the American International School, Abuja.”
The witness confirmed the children’s names as Zahra Fatima, Na’ima, Nana Fatima, and Farid Bello, adding that Zayyan Ali Bello, a nephew of the former governor, also benefited from the payments.
He identified multiple documents tendered in court, including admission letters, identification certificates, pre-payment agreements, telex copies of payments from U.S. banks, school receipts, and correspondence with the EFCC.
Okehone explained that the school received several international transfers, including:
- $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas for Zahra Bello
- $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas for Fatima Bello
- $11,000 from Whales Oil and Gas for Farida Oricha
- $78,160 from Alyeshua Solutions Services for Fatima Bello
- $42,170 from Alyeshua Solutions Services for Na’ima Ohunene Bello
He added that other payments totaling over $100,000 were made by companies and individuals from the UAE and Uganda for the children’s school fees.
“I confirm that all the payments are in line with the agreement to pay school fees in advance,” Okehone said.
The witness further stated that following correspondence with the EFCC, the school refunded the full amount of $760,910.84 to an EFCC account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Earlier, other prosecution witnesses testified about the sale of properties in Abuja, including transactions handled through Bureau de Change operators, further linking alleged proceeds of the crime to the accused.
After hearing testimonies, Justice Anineh adjourned the trial to May 5 and 8, and June 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of the proceedings and pending applications.