22nd May, 2013
Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta
Four officials of the Ogun State government, in western Nigeria, are now assisting the Police at the Police headquarters, Eleweeran, Abeokuta to explain how N200million, meant to pay the examination fees of secondary school students was fraudulently diverted into personal accounts.
A statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa last night revealed that the diversion started three years ago.
The statement further stated that, “Four officials, two males and two females, are already in the police net and they are aiding in the investigations on the matter. Other suspects are being investigated for their roles in the fraud.”
The government said preliminary investigation suggested that the fraud was perpetrated through inflation of the list of candidates in public schools.
According to Adeoluwa, “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.”