Ogun State Government has uncovered a fraud of about N200 million in the payment of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for students in its secondary schools.
The discovery of the fraudulent practices being perpetrated by officials in the education sector spanned at least, the last three academic sessions. Four officials, two male and two female, are already in the police net and they are aiding the police in the on-going investigations on the matter. However, other suspects are being investigated for their roles in the fraud.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicated that the fraudulent practices were perpetrated through 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.
The suspects would then get proprietors of the private schools or tutorial centres to pay the fees into their personal bank accounts. The bank accounts being used to defraud the government have been traced. Commenting on the incident, the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister 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.”It will be recalled that the Amosun Administration has between 2011 and 2013 paid about N1 billion to WAEC, including the arrears inherited from the previous administration.
Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release