N650m fraud rocks Delta SUBEB

Alleged fraud of N650 million has been uncovered at the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). At the center of the alleged fraud, investigation revealed, is a son (name withheld) of a front line woman politician who also is a Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

It was reliably gathered that Ex-SUBEB Chairman, allegedly signed the contract for N650 million for the politician’s son to supply laptops to SUBEB towards the end of her tenure in office.

But while the approval was allegedly given, the contractor including another top politician’s son (name withheld), forwarded documents of their buildings and N1 billion postdated cheque to support their documents as collateral. Sources close to the contractors said the N1 billion cheque was allegedly stolen by one of the contractors (name withheld) from his father’s cheque book. Our informed sources said the contractor trick was exposed when what were supplied to SUBEB was rejected as they were substandard and never followed due process.

At the board meeting, insider said virtually all the board members rejected what were supplied, stating that the board can only approve a contract not more N50 million, while the State Executive Council is the only body empowered to approve the contract of such magnitude.

Confirming the alleged fraud, a state of SUBEB who gave her name as Evelyn (surname withheld), said: “the board members rejected the supply by the contractors and asked them to refund whatever amount of money they have collected”.

But this was not to be as the female politician who interestingly had been mother of all the governors that have ruled since the creation of the state 25 years ago, reportedly moved into the matter and allegedly met with the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Barr. Chiedu Ebie to accept the supply or incur her wrath.

The Commissioner reportedly swung into action to force every teacher at the primary schools across the state to buy  the computer for N109, 000 as cost price that would be deducted at source during payment of their monthly salary.

The lap tops, investigation revealed, were valued at N65, 000 in the  market .

In his reaction, Ebie, the State Commissioner for Basic Education, said: “I’m on leave at present, I can’t respond to such issue at present, I’m aware of the laptop contract is not a matter for the press, I will speak to you when I am back in office”.

Also, Mrs. Pat Ejeteh, Ex-SUBEB Chairman  said: “I don’t know of any fraud, I’m not a party to fraud, my tenure in office was very transparent”.