The management of the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State has reportedly suspended three students indefinitely due to their parents' petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the management of funds by the Parents Teacher Association (PTA) of the school. The parents alleged that their call for the PTA to explain the expenditure of approximately N23 million led to them and their children being targeted for punishment.

Mrs. Falilat Oluwashogbon, one of the affected parents, explained that the issue arose during the association's Annual General Meeting in 2022 when concerns were raised about discrepancies in the financial report presented by the PTA chairman. These concerns included a significant increase in the salary of PTA teachers without any corresponding changes in staffing or salary structure. Additionally, there were questions about the allocation of funds for sitting allowances and sports activities. When their queries were not addressed, the parents resorted to petitioning the EFCC.

Another parent, Pius Sodje, a lawyer, claimed that his child narrowly avoided being barred from sitting for the previous year's WAEC and NECO examinations due to the fallout from the AGM. He alleged that the PTA leadership presented expenditure figures without providing satisfactory explanations, leading to a refusal by some parents to adopt the report.

The Chairman of the PTA, Comrade Shola Tokede, disputed the allegations, attributing the conflict to the outcome of the 2021 PTA executive election. He stated that the majority of members accepted the financial report and moved to adopt it, and he denied any mismanagement of funds.

Regarding the suspension of the students, Tokede cited a memo from the Federal Ministry of Education, stating that any parent who takes legal action against their children's school would have their children suspended until the matter is resolved.

Another parent, Douglas Damoor, clarified that they had only petitioned the EFCC and were not aware of the memo from the Federal Ministry of Education. He expressed concern that innocent students should not suffer due to the situation.

When a correspondent visited the school, teachers declined to comment, citing their status as civil servants and indicating that the matter is being looked into by the Federal Ministry of Education. The Public Relations Officer of the PTA mentioned that the association would release its official position on the matter soon.

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