N26m registration fee paid by FCE students lost in transit

The Police and authorities of the Federal College of
Education, Zaria, have commenced investigation into how
the registration fees paid by 1,128 students through banks
was not credited into the institution’s account.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that more than N26m
paid by the students in some banks in Zaria were not
credited to the school’s account.
An affected student who craved anonymity said, “I personally
paid my money in the bank’s (name withheld) main branch
in Sabongari, but to my greatest dismay, they said my money
did not enter the FCE account.
“As I am talking to you now, my name is not captured as a
registered students and I am not the only person affected.
“Over 1,000 students are now facing similar problem, and all
categories of students are affected.”
Another student said he also paid through the same bank,
adding, “I have the payment teller and the registration slip
with me; however, they said I have not registered.”
According to him, a large number of the affected students are
now stranded.
The Registrar of the college, Dr. Jibril Lawal, confirmed the
incident, but debunked allegations of
management connivance as suggested by the students.
He said, “The management has constituted a committee
under the chairmanship of the College Bursar, Mohammed
Sani-Uwais, to thoroughly investigate the mater and report
back to the management.”
On his part, Sani-Uwais said payment made by 1,128
students was not credited into the institution’s TSA account.
He added that 82 other students also had irregular records of
payment.
Sani-Uwais said 99 per cent of the victims paid their money
through the first generation bank located in Sabongari area of
Zaria city.
“This is a serious issue, as such, we reported the case to the
police and police advised us to come back and set up an
investigation committee to investigate the matter, which we
did.
“We have gone a long way in discharging our
responsibilities. When a student appears before us, we ask
him how did you make the payment, whom did you pay to,
can you identify him?
“We want to establish where the problem is and also who
and who are involved in the shoddy deal and report back to
the management for further action,” the bursar said.
Sani-Uwais alleged that an attempt had been made on his
life as a result of the investigation.
Officials of the affected bank did not respond to inquiries on
the matter, but a reliable source informed NAN that the major
suspect had resigned before the case became public.
The spokesperson of Kaduna State Police Command, ASP
Aliyu Usman, confirmed that the case was reported to Zaria
Area Command and that investigation into the matter had
begun.
“One of the prime suspects has been arrested and
investigation is still ongoing,” Usman said.

Culled from punch.