Ondo Alleged Employment Scam: Govt Not Liable – HoS

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government has reacted to allegation of extortion of some prospective job seekers, by some agencies’ personnel, accusing victims of patronizing unofficial sources.

The State Head of Service, (HoS) in a statement on Monday, explained that as far as the government is concerned, processes about teachers recruitment exercise had been concluded and it followed due process.

The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) had announced that it commenced an investigation into allegations of buying and selling employment slots by the officials of Ondo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Report revealed that candidates which were eventually employed during the exercise allegedly paid between ₦200,000 and ₦750,000 to secure teaching positions at both primary and secondary school levels.

Secretary of the anti graft commission, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, who confirmed an intervention by the state anti corruption agency, assured that the investigation would be thorough to protect the integrity of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“The commission’s probe is a step in the right direction, and the governor must take decisive action to address this anomaly and ensure that the teaching profession is valued and respected.”

The HoS statement stated that “it has come to the knowledge of the Office of the Head of Service that, some unsuspecting job seekers are reportedly being extorted by some unscrupulous elements regarding the recently-concluded recruitment exercise by Ondo State Universal Education Board (ODSUBEB) and Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

“This is to alert the general public to be weary of such scammers in order not to fall victim to their scheming.

“It would be recalled that Government has since concluded the recruitment and released the duly signed list and letters of appointment to successful candidates, thus concluding the entire exercise.

“It is instructive to note that, government put in place a transparent, fraud-free process for the recruitment of qualified teachers to fill critical vacancies in both Public Primary and Secondary Schools across the State, leading to the emergence of appointable candidates, at no cost whatsoever.

“Members of the public are therefore advised not to offer bribe or any form of inducement to anyone purporting to be in position to facilitate employment either in Ondo State Universal Education Board (ODSUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) or any other Government Agencies, for Government will not be liable for such under-hand dealings.”