The Ondo State Government has clarified that the individuals who staged a protest at the Governor’s Office in Akure on Friday are not recognized teachers in the state service but rather job applicants who fell victim to fraud.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the protesters had allegedly paid money to scammers who deceived them with fake appointment letters purportedly issued by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
“Please note that those who protested are not teachers but applicants who were duped by some individuals during the recruitment process. They all paid money to scammers who issued them fake letters of appointment,” Adeniyan said in a statement.
Despite this, the applicants stormed the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, Akure, demanding inclusion in the ongoing capturing exercise for newly recruited teachers in the state.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters carried placards, accusing unnamed officials within SUBEB and TESCOM of masterminding the fraudulent recruitment.
Security operatives were deployed to maintain calm around the Government House axis.
The protest has once again brought to light rising concerns over recruitment racketeering within government agencies, with calls mounting for a thorough investigation into the alleged scam.
..... as Gov Aiyedatiwa orders probe
The Ondo State Government has dismissed reports that newly recruited teachers staged a protest at the Governor’s Office over alleged exclusion from the recent employment exercise.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, those who staged the protest were not genuine recruits but victims of a recruitment scam.
He explained that the applicants were defrauded by individuals who issued them fake appointment and posting letters after collecting money.
The fraud was uncovered during the biometric verification exercise when the letters were discovered to be fake.
Adeniyan confirmed that disciplinary action had already been taken against three insiders within the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) who allegedly connived with external fraudsters to perpetrate the scam.
Meanwhile, he assured that the over 2,000 teachers duly employed by the government for both primary and secondary schools across the state have already resumed duty.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, he added, has directed SUBEB to invite the victims for a meeting, while a committee has been set up to further investigate the matter and recommend appropriate actions.
Roving Reporter
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