A civil rights group has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged imposition of levy on senior secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
territory, particularly those in SS1 and SS2.
The group, an Initiative for Citizens’ Rights, Accountability and Development (ICRAD) alleged that students were being compelled to pay N1,500 per session outside the official fees recognized by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA for secondary schools.
The petition letter by ICRAD alleged that the payment of the said fee was boycotting the Treasury Single Account platform of the government and was being paid into a private account under the name Shokami Consulting Limited, Zenith Bank Account number 1014972989.
Hassan Luqman, Executive Director of ICRAD, claimed it was suspicious to mandate students of public schools to pay fees meant for part of their academic activities into a private company account.
The group has urged the anti-graft agency to launch an investigation into the discovery to avert racketeering and fraudulently obtaining money from students and parents.
Hassan in the petition said, “It has come to our notice that the Senior Secondary School Students in the FCT, particularly those in SS1 and 2 are being forced to pay the sum of N1,500 per session outside the official fees recognised by the FCTA.
“This fee surreptitiously tied to School Management Systems, only allows the students to check their results online.
“Surprisingly is the fact that the fees are not paid into any of the recognised school accounts linked to government Treasury Single Account TSA, but into a private company’s account.
“Assuming without conceding that the said fee is for consulting services rendered to FCT secondary school board, it is the responsibility of the board to pay for consultancy under the Public Procurement Act and not the students.
“Imposing fees for consultancy services on parents, guardians and students is contrary to the fundamental principles of procurement which require the availability of budgetary allocations and funds for all procurements, including consultancy services as enshrined under section 16 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007,” the petition further noted.
