The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigation
into the alleged corruption levelled against the Registrar of the
National Examinations Council, Prof. Promise Okpala.
Although the details of his offence were still sketchy, sources in the EFCC informed The PUNCH that
the NECO Registrar allegedly transferred about N536,150,850 belonging
to the examination body to a private account said to be owned by the
Head of NECO’s Computer Unit in Minna, Niger State, Mr. Tayo Odukoya.
Two
members of staff of a first generation bank involved in the deal were
on Monday quizzed by the anti-graft operatives and they were said to
have made useful statements “that would give the EFCC a lead in its
investigation”.
“The NECO Registrar
is under investigation and he will soon be invited for questioning. Two
bank workers appeared today (Monday) and they have made some comments to
our team of investigators,” the source said.
The
investigation was also said to have been sequel to the recent protest
by the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and
Associated Institutions, Mr. Abdulrasheed Rabana, over a threat to his
life.
Our correspondent learnt that
Rabana held a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayat
Rufai on Monday over the petition.
A
Lagos-based magazine had in its March 26, 2012 edition detailed how the
Registrar used a private company owned by Odukoya to siphon millions of
naira belonging to NECO.
The
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was
also reported to have claimed that NECO was operating 18 illegal bank
accounts.
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