T[b]he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigation into the alleged corruption levelled against the Registrar of the National Examinations Council, Prof. Promise Okpala.
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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.

Rabana said, “Those allegations, coupled with his denial of the staff’s numerous entitlements like transfer allowances, particularly to the newly employed staff, non refund of the National Housing Fund, non implementation of 18,500 naira minimum wage and inadequate payment of hazard allowance, among many other financial improprieties, are enough to worry his employer and the staff of NECO.”

In a petition to the chairman of the anti-graft agency dated March 23, and copied to the Minister of Education, ICPC, Director-General of the State Security Services, among other agencies, the “Concerned NECO staff” had also accused the Registrar and Odukoya of allegedly transferring “NECO funds amounting to N536,150,850 to a private company which belonged to Odukoya.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the petition, by the NASUEAIs, saying the commission was looking into it.

“We have the petition against the NECO Registrar and I can tell you that we are seriously looking into it; the petition is receiving attention. But I cannot confirm to you anything about the bank staff,” Uwujaren said.

tchaik: I know Prof (personally) way back in UI, doesn't look amenable to graft then; what happened?
Na wah!

abginger: which state is prof okpala from? If you know pls let me know.