Following the death of the registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO) Godswill Obioma on Monday, details have emerged on how he was accused of corruption and almost removed from his position.
Mr Obioma, a former executive secretary of the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), was the resident electoral commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ebonyi State before he was appointed NECO registrar in May 2020.
His appointment followed the removal of the former registrar of the examination body, Charles Nwakwe, over corruption allegations and poor management.
Premium Times reports that the late NECO boss was queried over various allegations including compromising “the sanctity and integrity of the examinations” being conducted by the body, especially the release of keys to the examination body’s vault where sensitive materials were kept to his personal assistant Obinna Otumdi.
Mr Otumdi’s parents reportedly own a private school in Nasarawa State, and so was accused of compromising the examination papers’ security.
The online newspaper says a report by an investigative panel set up by NECO accused Obioma of attempting to release the sum of N1.8 billion to some contractors who the board had said should not be paid.
Some of the allegations read partly; “On Thursday, 18th June 2020, you approached the Director, Finance and Account (DFA), with a document purported to have been given to you by the Hon. Minister of State for Education (HMSE), a government official, directing him to pay the duo of BIZZDESK and FRONTEDGE the sum of one billion, eight hundred thousand naira (N1,800,000,000.00) being money claimed by the duo for service rendered; whereas you were aware that the Council is in court with these companies for refund of three billion naira (N3,000,000,000.00) for services not rendered between 2010 – 2018.
“The DFA further claimed that you said that the companies would, in return, appreciate your gesture with the sum of nine hundred million naira only (N9,000,000,000.00) upon payment to be shared between the Hon. Minister of State for Education (HMSE), yourself, DFA and his staff. The DFA flatly refused, and promptly notified the Board Chairman. This act is tantamount to fraudulent practices, bribery, corruption and sabotage under Section 4, No. 030402 (j, k & t) of the PSR.”
The board of the examination body had recommended his removal to the education minister Adamu Adamu.
It also gathered that the Presidency was due to announce Obioma’s removal before his death was reported on Tuesday.
