The Ondo State Government has suspended three senior officials over their alleged involvement in a job scam linked to the recent teachers’ recruitment exercise in the state.
Findings revealed that the suspended officers include two directors and a deputy director of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered a full-scale investigation into the alleged fraud and directed SUBEB to invite the defrauded applicants for a meeting.
He also set up a committee to probe the incident further.
The state had recently concluded the recruitment of teachers into primary and secondary schools across its 18 local government areas.
However, some supposed recruits protested last week after being excluded from the ongoing biometric verification exercise.
They later discovered that their appointment letters were forged.
In a swift response, the government clarified that the protesters were victims of a scam and not among the more than 2,000 teachers legitimately recruited, who have since resumed duty.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed that three SUBEB insiders allegedly connived with external fraudsters to issue fake employment and posting letters to unsuspecting job seekers in exchange for money.
He added that disciplinary action had already been taken against the implicated officials, while the governor has mandated SUBEB to meet with the victims and ensure that the committee’s findings are thoroughly implemented.