Fraud allegations trail recruitment of teachers in Edo •Applicants pay N.2m to get jobs

Allegations of fraud are trailing the recruitment of 500 teachers in Edo State following complaints that applicants are being asked to pay N200,000 each in order to enhance their chances of getting jobs.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole had directed the board to employ 500 teachers to fill vacancies in primary schools in the state. The teachers, when recruited,  were expected to teach among other subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture and English Language.
Following Oshiomhole’s directive, vacancies were advertised and over 11,000 people reportedly applied for job.
It was gathered that after conducting interviews, the list of successful applicants was pasted on the notice board of the Post- Primary Education Board, but some members of the board hurriedly removed it when members of the public started to pick holes in the credentials of some applicants said to have been successful.
One of the complaints was that the majority of those whose names appeared on the list never attempted the interview but were recruited after purportedly paying the said money.
It was also gathered that many of those who were recruited were either not qualified or were not majors in any of the science subjects for which subject teachers were required.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that Governor Oshiomhole had been informed of the development and that some members or the  board might be sacked.
Contacted, the  Commissioner for Education, Mr Ekpenisi Omorotionwa, said he had received such report but was yet to receive concrete evidence to enable his ministry take action against the alleged perpetrators.
According to him, “I have actually heard but it is always difficult for you to take action when there is no concrete evidence. Anybody that knows those involved or any of the applicants that gave such money should come to me quietly and show me evidence, we will deal with whoever is involved.
“We don’t want a situation whereby you go and punish an innocent person.
  “There has been  rumours and allegations but no one has come up to give me evidence and that is the situation.”
The Tribune