The crises currently rocking the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has taken a new turn as the National Alumni Association of the school has accused the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike of unilaterally suspending the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council, Dr. Emeka Enejere without recourse to President Goodluck Jonathan who is the visitor to the institution.
The association also alleged that Wike just a few days after suspending Enejere on December 16, 2013 appointed his (Wike) personal lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Emmanuel Ukala as the Pro-Chancellor of the institution without the knowledge of the President.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja Friday, the National President of the Alumni Association, Chief Andrew Oru disclosed that on December 15, Enejere had delivered the report of the council indicting the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barth Okolo of embezzlement of monies estimated between N2 and N3billion.
He said the removal of Enejere happened just a day before council was to meet and adopt the said report adding that no reason was provided. This he said negates the University Act which says
“…If it appears to the Visitor that the Chancellor should be removed from his office on the grounds of misconduct or of inability to perform the functions of his office, the visitor may by notice in the Federal Gazette remove the Chancellor from office…The Pro-Chancellor shall be appointed or removed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister.”
“A copy of the report now in our possession reveals monumental fraud on the part of the Vice Chancellor. Same investigation has revealed to us that the President of Nigeria who is the Visitor was not aware of the said pronouncement and did not and could not have authorised it. Further investigations have also revealed that this is not the first time a report on the activities of the said Vice Chancellor by Council or its organs have indicted him of monumental profligacy,” Oru said.
Oru alleged that the VC had been indicted for awarding contracts worth millions of naira without recourse to the tender boards or even councils.
The University management, he again alleged had awarded several contracts and paid almost of the contract fees without commensurate performance by the contractors, most of who have passed the stipulated time for the projects’ completion.
The administration, he added, also awarded multiple contracts to some contractors at the same time, which could impede performance and work quality.
He listed several examples and noted that the monies which have been embezzled hover in between N2 and N3 billion.
While past Councils may have kept quiet about the alleged fraud, even though the immediate past council also indicted Okolo, Oru explained that the present council choose not to engage in any cover up after its appointment in April, 2013.
The Association expressed its readiness to seek the reinstatement of Enejere by legal and other means. It appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately order the suspension of the Vice Chancellor to allow for unhindered investigation into the fraud and embezzlement allegations.
Oru disclosed that as at the time of the press conference, Enejere was yet to be formally notified of his removal from office.
Source: Thisday
