The Ogun State Government has uncovered a fraud of about
N200 million in the payment of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
fees for students in its secondary schools.
It was gathered yesterday that the fraud,
perpetrated by officials in the education sector, spanned at least the last
three academic sessions.
Four officials have been arrested
by the police in connection with the fraud and they are assisting
the law enforcement agency in the ongoing investigations into the matter.
However, other suspects are being
investigated for their roles in the fraud.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicated that the fraud was perpetrated through the inflation of the list of candidates in public schools.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicated that the fraud was perpetrated through the inflation of the list of candidates in public schools.
The state government was then made to pay
for candidates from private schools or tutorial centres, whose names had been
added to those of beneficiaries from the public schools.
The suspects would then get proprietors
of the private schools or tutorial centres to pay the fees into their personal
bank accounts from where they would later withdraw the money for sharing among
members of the syndicate.
It was gathered that the bank accounts
being used to defraud the government have been traced.
Commenting on the incident, the Secretary
to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa said: “This is a disturbing
development. Education is number one on the five-cardinal programme of our
administration and that is why we are investing so much to rebuild the
sector. Officials who think they can divert funds meant for this
important sector are in for a surprise. Anybody, who is implicated in this scam
will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led
administration has between 2011 and 2013 paid about N1 billion to WAEC,
including the arrears inherited from the previous administration.
Credits to thisdaylive.com
