The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) on Thursday dissociated itself from fraudulent scam schemes extorting money for award of scholarships, reiterating that it will not hesitate to deal with the masterminds.

The PAP in a statement by .Mr Igoniko Oduma
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, noted that the office had previously advised potential scholarship seekers that the application process is entirely free and does not require any payment..

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme wishes to reiterate that its scholarship scheme is free of charge.

“The PAP, once again, alerts members of the public, particularly, Niger Deltans, that the scholarship application process for undergraduate and post-graduate programmes does not involve payment of money.

“The PAP does not accept money nor encourage same in exchange for services, including the placement of successful applicants in institutions for admissions in any academic year.

“This clarification has, again, become necessary following complaints to the Office of the Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, that some unscrupulous PAP stakeholders and dubious individuals are allegedly collecting money from parents and guardians with all sorts of fake assurances of admissions,” the statement read in part.

PAP explained that it had earlier alerted the public and warned against fraudulent acts before adding that no applicant, parent or guardian should pay money to anybody for the PAP scholarship programme.

“If you pay money to anybody, you do so at your own risk.

“The management of the PAP under the leadership of Dr Otuaro will not hesitate to take drastic measures against anybody caught involved in this nefarious act,” PAP stated.