Recruitment: 'Fake' LAUTECH Graduate Arrested As Lagos Begins Screening

According to a report by The PUNCH, the Lagos State Government has warned quacks and unqualified applicants to steer clear of the on-going health workers recruitment exercise being conducted by the Health Service Commission or risk arrest and possible jail term.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Muyiwa Eniayewun, made this known in a statement by Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, on Thursday.

He gave the warning after meeting with some shortlisted candidates ahead of their Computer Based Test at a CBT centre in Maryland, Lagos.

Eniayewun said due diligence and investigation would be conducted on the application and credentials of all applicants at every stage of the exercise stressing that only qualified candidates would be employed.

He said, “The health sector is a sensitive sector where we cater for lives, as such, we have no tolerance for quackery and malpractices where human lives are involved.

“Any candidates who applied for any of the advertised positions and hoping to get employed to the State public service with fake, forged or doctored credentials should rethink their decision and opt out now while they can or risk being caught and made to face the law.

“Even after this exercise, we will continue with our due diligence for shortlisted and employed candidates; this, we have been doing in collaboration with all the health professionals bodies and associations including through our regulatory agencies.”

He disclosed that the state government through the professional audit and verification exercise recently uncovered and arrested an employee, Olufunke Adegbenro, who was employed as a nurse and deployed to Isolo General Hospital three months ago by the Health Service Commission.

He explained that Adegbenro was caught during one of the audit and verification exercises carried out by HSC in partnership with National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

“Adegbenro has been practicing with fake certificates and professional license. She forged a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho, a National Youth Service discharge certificate, a registered Nurse Certificate and practicing license of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

“Her appointment has been terminated and she has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution. We hope this will serve as a deterrent to other quacks,” Eniayewun said.