Alleged Fake Certificate: ICOHS sacks 18 teachers, 3 others 

…victims call for Emir’s intervention

By Ahmed Ajikobi

The management of Ilorin Comprehensive High School (ICOHS), Ilorin, Kwara State has disengaged 21 staff from the service of the school over allegation of fake certificates, National Pilot can authoritatively report.
The affected employees comprised of 18 teaching and three non-teaching staff.
This medium gathered that some of the staff who were disengaged last Tuesday had spent about 20 years in service.
A copy of the letter served the staff last Tuesday was dated 31st of July, 2019.
The disengagement letter issued to the affected staff stated that, the decision was taken due to the recent staff audit exercise at the school and the inability of the affected staff to present to the audit panel their requisite qualification which qualified them for appointment as teaching and non teaching staff.
The aforesaid letter signed by the Bursar of the school, Alatare Oba on behalf of the  Board Chairman, Ajadi Jimoh reads in part; “I am directed to inform you that, due to recent staff audit exercise at the Ilorin Comprehensive High School (ICOHS) and your inability to present to the audit panel your requisite qualification certificates on which you were appointed … despite several years of your graduation and six months’ notice of the impending audit exercise, you are hereby disengaged from the services of ICOHS with effect from 1st August, 2019.   .
“The management board under the present circumstances could have asked you to refund all the salaries drawn illegally while working in ICOHS without authentic certificate but has instead, graciously approved the August salary for you in lieu of one month notice in line with ICOHS’ condition of service.”
Speaking with our reporter last Thursday, one of the affected teaching staff, Yusuf Saheed, said a number of them are as old as the school itself in service.
He expressed disappointment at the development, adding that they all went through due process before being employed by the school.
“Some of us have spent over 20 years in the service of the school. I have spent 14 years here likewise others,” he lamented.
Speaking further, Yusuf who alleged foul play in their disengagement said, “Firstly, the letter was not signed by ICOHS Board Chairman but the school bursar.
“Secondly, the letter was dated back to 31st, July, 2019 and it stated that our disengagement was to take effect on 1st of August, 2019. Instead of 31st July, we received the letter on August 21.
“It is not that anyone is stopping the school management from disengaging us but it is out of place to destroy our future by indicting us of using fake certificates.
“We met President of Ilorin Emirates Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Yahaya Ahmed and during our meeting he confirmed the situation and urged us to re-apply.
“Our grievance is that, we want the school authority to withdraw the statement where they accused us of using fake results.
“They should go to the various institutions where we graduated to confirm the authenticity of our certificates,” he said.
The disengaged workers however called for the intervention of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.
When contacted on the telephone at the weekend, the school principal, Alh. Omomeji Kuranga declined comment and referred our reporter to the Board chairman.
Similarly, the board chairman, Jimoh, in a telephone chat with this medium, yesterday, said he was out of town and directed our reporter to meet the proprietors of the school, adding that, “they know everything about the school, I will be back next week.”
However when contacted, the President of IEDPU, Alh. Yahaya Ahmed told our reporter that he was yet to receive official report on the matter.
He said though the affected staff came to his office to complain, he, however, instructed them to put their grievance into writing.
“I said they should go and write letter and address it to IEDPU President if they have any grievance.
“I can’t say whether they have the required qualifications or not. Those that are conducting the investigation will know that. The management invited the consultant on the matter and I’m yet to receive full information on the matter,” he said.
Among the disengaged staff are; Yunusa Liman Taxa, Yusuf Saheed, Adamu Ajara, Abdulhakeem Oladele, Alao  Abdullah, Abdulsalam Umar, Tijani Sheu, Rowland A Funke and Adebayo Balkees.
Others are; Abubakar Abdulrasheed, Sule Idowu, Osasona Adeyinka, Abdulganiyu Ganiya, Oladeji Funmilayo, Kolawole Wolu,Azeez Idowu, Taofik Habeeb, Ogunbeku Bukunmi, Iliad Balkis, Ambali Risikat and Musa Balkis.