Weve returned ex-gov Bellos childs advanced school fees -American school
•Quit hiding, dont disgrace ex-govs – Ortom, group
Romanus Ugwu, Fred Ezeh, Abuja and Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
American International School, Abuja, said it had returned the advance school fees payment for the child of the embattled former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.
Head of School, Greg Hughes, in a statement, yesterday, said the decision to remit the funds underscored the schools commitment to upholding institutional integrity and its respect for the national institutions of Nigeria.
The statement read: “Recent media reports have highlighted issues between the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), American International School, Abuja, and a family with children enrolled at the school, stemming from an investigation carried out in 2022.
“As a school we did accept an advance payment for school fees, and duly documented the fees in our records. But upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over the funds in compliance with the federal commissions request.
“Our compliance to remit these funds underscored our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria.
“At no point has the school been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to this case, and we are cooperating fully with the EFCC operatives to address matters currently before the courts.
“However, as these legal matters are being resolved within the Nigerian judicial system and involve one of our families, we will refrain from making any further comments at this time. But as an institution, we remain committed to providing excellent service to our school community in line with our core values, vision and mission.”
Meanwhile, immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has appealed to his Kogi State counterpart to come out of hiding and answer his case with the EFCC.
He gave the advice at the Redeemed Christian Church of God during the thanksgiving service organized by his aides for his 63rd birthday in Makurdi, yesterday.
According to him, Bellos continued hiding would bring disgrace to former governors across the country.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors.
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“You dont need to hide. You dont need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond. EFCC are human beings. If they are making inquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on the phone, but I could not. I have tried those around him, I could not so I want that to be noted. So, wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press is here, he should come out,” Ortom said.
Ortom urged his former appointees to always come forward and give account of their stewardship when called upon saying they can only run when they have something to hide.
Ortom who appreciated the Benue people for their support throughout his eight years tenure and for celebrating him on his birthday said he thought he has been left to be alone after office.
He said being at the top for eight years was not an easy task and called on the people to pray for their leaders.
In a separate reaction, Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) also urged the former governor to take the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, and submit himself to the anti-graft agency.
It also urged him to surrender to the courts of law to clear himself of allegations of financial malfeasance while in office.
The group equally claimed that the anti-graft agency has not, in any way, erred in performing its lawful duty in requesting the former Kogi States governor to appear before it for questioning.
It maintained that EFCC is mandated by law to scrutinise and enforce accountability of persons in government positions, which is also in line with the anti-corruption policy of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG described the stand-off between the former governor and the EFCC as unnecessary, describing it as an affront on the sanctity of the law and the integrity of the Presidents anti-corruption war.
“For us, the intervention of the AGF, Fagbemi, asking the former Kogi governor to subject himself to EFCCs scrutiny is a clear signal in this regard, not only on the position of law, but also on the stance of the President Tinubu-led administration on anti-corruption.
“It should be clear by now to all Nigerians that strict accountability in governance occupies a cardinal place in President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. To serve this purpose, his government has shown zero tolerance to cases of corruption since assuming office.
“So, the EFCC, by inviting Bello, as it did to past and previous officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the immediate past Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, is in tandem with its policy and character to nurture a culture of probity and accountability in governance.
“As a staunch member of our party, we believe that Yahaya Bello has no reason to fear. It is a process that is not predetermined. We urge him to heed the advice of the Attorney General and make himself available to EFCCs investigators as required by extant laws,” the group noted in the statement.