The authorities of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike ( MOUAU), have been given a 7 day deadline to release information regarding the activities of the Pro Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Comrade Fidelis Edeh .
The information which is to cover between March 1st 2026 till date should include among others, records on the Pro Chancellor showing all expenditure made or incurred or paid in respect or on his behalf as well as approvals he made within the period.
A group, Transparency Initiative for MOUAU, made the demand on Monday in pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
In the demand notice submitted on its behalf by its solicitors, U E NDUKWE ESQ, the group led by Hon Chief Cletus Kalu N, explained that the request was predicated on the promotion of Transparency, accountability, probity and due process in the administration of MOUAU.
It further explained that it was deeply worried by certain activities of Comrade Fidelis Edeh since his assumption of office, hence the demand for the release of the requested documents.
According to it, some of those activities had not only negated the laid down procedure for the running of a university administration but tended to be vindictive, malicious, and a clear departure from standard practice.
It accordingly requested that the following documents be released to it within the next seven days or it would be forced to take legal action against the university.
It clearly requested information and records, together with copies of all documents, receipts, payment vouchers, invoices, approvals, minutes, resolutions, bank/payment records, authorisations and other relevant records supporting the information supplied, covering the period from 1st March 2026, to date, except where otherwise expressly stated. The records include:
- Records of Expenditure on the Pro-Chancellor: Records showing all expenditures made, incurred or paid by the University in respect of or on behalf of the
Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, including the amount, date and nature of each expenditure. - Purpose of Expenditure: Records showing the purpose(s) for which each of the aforesaid expenditures was incurred.
- Budgetary Provision: Records showing the relevant budgetary heads and/or subheads under which each of the aforesaid expenditures was authorised, charged and/or paid.
- MOUAU Guest House Accommodation: Records showing the dates and number of nights spent by the Pro-Chancellor at the MOUAU Guest House.
- Guest House Expenditure: Records showing the amount charged, incurred and/or paid by the University in respect of the Pro-Chancellor’s accommodation at the MOUAU Guest House, together with the relevant invoices, bills, receipts, payment vouchers and evidence of payment.
- Source of Funds: Records showing the source(s) of funds from which the aforesaid accommodation expenses and other expenditures relating to the Pro-Chancellor were paid, including whether from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federal Allocation or any other source.
- Loans Obtained Through MOUAU Microfinance Bank: Records relating to any loan(s) obtained by the University from any conventional or commercial bank through or in connection with MOUAU Microfinance Bank, including the amount of each loan, the lending institution, date of the loan, terms of the facility and relevant loan documentation.
- Utilisation of Loans: Records showing the project(s), programme(s) and/or purpose(s) for which each such loan was obtained and utilised.
- Disbursement of Loans: Records showing the procedure adopted for the approval, authorisation, disbursement and utilisation of each such loan, together with the relevant approvals, payment records and supporting documentation.
- Committee, Council and Procurement Records: Copies of all relevant records, minutes, approvals, resolutions, memoranda, recommendations and other documentation relating to the expenditures, loans and projects referred to above emanating from or considered by the:
a. Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC);
b. Governing Council;
c. Directorate of Physical Planning (DPP);
d. University Tenders Board (UTB); and
e. University Procurement and Purchasing Committee (UPPC).
- Meetings of the Governing Council: Records showing the number and dates of meetings of the Governing Council held from 1st March 2026 to date under the chairmanship of Comrade Fidelis Edeh, together with copies of the notices, agenda, minutes, resolutions and/or decisions arising from such meetings.
- Visits of the Pro-Chancellor: Records showing the dates and official purpose(s) of each visit of the Pro-Chancellor to the University from 1st March 2026 to date, together with records of any expenditure incurred by the University in connection with each such visit.
- Expenditure at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja During the Selection of the Current Vice-Chancellor: Records showing the total amount expended, incurred and/or paid by the University in respect of accommodation and related expenses at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, during and/or in connection with the process leading to the selection and appointment of the current Vice-Chancellor of the University, including:
(a) the total amount paid or incurred for accommodation at the said hotel;
(b) the dates and duration of the accommodation;
(c) the number and categories of persons in respect of whom the accommodation expenses were incurred;
(d) the purpose for which the accommodation expenses were incurred;
(e) the source of funds from which the expenses were paid, including whether from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federal Allocation or any other source;
(f) the relevant budgetary head and/or subhead under which the expenditure was authorised and/or charged;
(g) copies of all approvals and authorisations relating to the expenditure; and
(h) copies of all supporting documents relating to the expenditure, including hotel invoices/bills, receipts, payment vouchers, requisitions, approvals, mandates, schedules, correspondence and evidence of payment.
It further informed the university that it requires documentary evidence in support of each item of information requested above.
” Accordingly, a mere statement of figures, amounts, dates, purposes or explanations without the corresponding supporting records will not amount to full disclosure of the records sought “
“We respectfully draw your attention to the obligations imposed upon public institutions under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, particularly the requirement to make requested information available or communicate a refusal within the period prescribed by law” it submitted
