Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is facing fresh scrutiny following revelations that he made an advance payment of $845,852 (approximately ₦1.3 billion) for the future enrollment of his children in an elite American school. This disclosure was made during an ongoing investigation into financial mismanagement during his tenure as governor.
According to documents presented in court, the payment was made to an undisclosed school in the United States as part of a long-term plan to secure placements for Bello’s children. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has flagged this transaction as suspicious, questioning why such a large sum was allocated for personal expenses while the state faced financial challenges.
An EFCC official, who spoke on the matter, stated, “This transaction raises significant concerns about the misuse of public funds. We are investigating whether state resources were diverted to cover these payments.”
Yahaya Bello has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the funds used were from his personal earnings and not public coffers. His legal team argues that he has every right to plan for his children’s education, calling the allegations a witch-hunt.
This development comes amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement by former public officials in Nigeria. The EFCC has intensified its crackdown on illicit financial transactions, vowing to recover stolen assets and hold individuals accountable for any misuse of state resources.
The case is still unfolding, and it remains to be seen whether further evidence will link the payment to state funds, potentially leading to legal action against the former governor.