Secrets Reporters
A quiet but staggering financial scandal is unfolding at the Federal Science College, Sokoto, where nearly one hundred million naira meant to feed students was instead funnelled into the private pockets of a handful of staff members.
Checks by our correspondent reveal that a total of ₦98,040,406.07 was disbursed through 168 separate payment vouchers and paid directly into the personal bank accounts of just four officers.
The funds were officially designated for student food procurement, a critical welfare need in a boarding school environment but the routing of public money into individual accounts has raised serious red flags.
The financial damage extends beyond the initial sum. Regulatory scrutiny, citing the Financial Regulations (FR 2009 para 2946(i)), indicates that the irregular payment structure resulted in an estimated ₦13,235,454.80 in lost tax revenue. By bypassing proper procurement and payment channels, the transactions not only skirted tax obligations but also created a smokescreen for potential diversion.
The risks identified include direct loss of government revenue and the diversion of public funds intended for the welfare of students. For a federal unity college tasked with providing quality education and a stable environment, the siphoning of meal subsidies strikes at the heart of the institution’s mandate.
This incident highlights a recurring vulnerability in the management of boarding school finances, where the gap between allocated funds and on-the-ground service delivery can be exploited.
Experts believe that the fact that 168 vouchers were processed without triggering internal safeguards suggests either a systemic failure of oversight or a deliberate circumvention of controls by those entrusted with authority.
As the details of the transaction come to light, the pressure is mounting on relevant anti-corruption and education authorities to trace the funds, recover what can be salvaged, and ensure that those who signed off on these payments are held accountable. For the students of Federal Science College, Sokoto, the scandal represents not just a financial loss, but a betrayal of the trust placed in the adults responsible for their well-being.
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