Lagos principal absconds with N1.2m SSCE fees

Michael Diekola, a 42-year old school principal, who allegedly defrauded his school of N1.2 million, was arraigned at an Ikeja chief magistrates’ court on Monday.

The accused, who lives at 8, Alirat Badejo stree, Oke Odo, Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in July 2014 at a private school — Queen Diana College, Oke Odo, Abule Egba.

Ogu, a police inspector, said the accused collected N1.2 million from students under the pretext of enrolling them for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

“The accused bolted with the money and all efforts to locate him were unsuccessful until he was sighted by one of the teachers and was immediately apprehended.”

The offences violated sections 285 (1) and 312 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2011.

The accused denied the charge.

In her ruling, Taiwo Akanni, the chief magistrate, granted the school principal bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered the accused to pay N250, 000 into the court’s chief registrar’s account as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to June 6 for mention.