Following concerns by some stakeholders and interests in Michael Okapara University Umudike, MOUAU, regarding an alleged awards of N500m contracts without following due process, there might be another crisis on the way .
At the centre of the allegation are the Pro Chancellor, Comrade Fidelis Edeh and the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa who they accused of by-passing established procedures in awards of contract, including securing an illegal N500m loan through MOUAU Microfinance bank.
According to them, it was in a bid to perfect the illegal act that led to the suspension of the Registrar, Dr Nkiruka Mbanasor and the Bursar, Mr Ugochukwu Ironkwe
While noting that it was statutory that the Registrar is responsible for the signing of contracts on behalf of the University, they alleged that a kinsman of the pro Chancellor, one Felix Nnaemeka Nwoye, a Senior Assistant Registrar on Grade 11 was said to have signed the contracts .
They also claimed that Mr Nwoye is being strategically positioned to be signing contracts as that schedule has been taken away from the registrar under an arrangement that is alien to universities administration.
They named the contracts involved to include the renovation of the Vice Chancellor’s office, Construction of Gate 5, including repainting of walls and reconstruction of IBB students hostel.
The Stakeholders further alleged that both the Pro Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor authorised the managing Director of the institution’s microfinanxe Bank, Mr Bashir Ogungbangbe to secure a N500m from commercial bank which was handed over to a contractor nominated by Edeh, without due process.
As claimed by them, expected students’ fees were allegedly used as collateral for the loan, a situation they noted could lead to students being charged more for hostel accommodation and tuition.
They also alleged that a bank with a share capital of N200m, which going by CBN’s regulations, is not supposed to approve a loan beyond N10m has been forced to secure a N500m,thus putting depositors’ funds at risk.
They pointed out that apart from breaching the extant contract laws, the contractor has failed to put up sign posts to announce who is responsible for the contracts.
” To the best of my knowledge, none of these three projects passed through UPPC or UTB. I am also informed that just a few days ago, the Acting DPP raised the alarm about this to the Vice Chancellor complaining about the exclusion of the department from the deal”, the source who craved anonymity disclosed,” the source claimed.
Reacting to the allegations, Director of Protocol and Publicity, Mr Anyaso Anyaso who spoke with Hanto Daily News described the claims by the group as totally false.
He made it clear that the current management has always followed due process in its dealings and reiterated its stand on the promotion of transparency and accountability.
