Federal Polytechnic Oko , two others, 7 universities under probe for Corruption by Federal Government , Sets up Committees

In an attempt to sanitise tertiary institutions in the education sector and restore dignity to the university system, the federal government on Thursday in Abuja set up committees to investigate the petitions against alleged corruption in some universities and polytechnics.
The universities to be investigated include Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Uwudike, Abia State, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe, University of Abuja, FCT, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, University of Calabar, Cross River State.

The Polytechnics  are Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the investigation has become imminent given several cases of alleged corruption, misappropriation of funds and abuse of extant laws governing such tertiary institutions.

According to him, “the ministry decided to set up these ten ad hoc fact-finding committees in response to petitions received from different stakeholders, within and outside the institutions, with variety of allegations bordering on irregularities, abuse of due process, mismanagement, immorality, fraud and corruption among others.

“In order to get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice is done, and it is seen to be done, we deemed it necessary to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the claims in these petitions. This verification is the crux of your assignment,” Adamu charged.

The minister categorically, assured the committees’ members of  President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s resolve to sanitise the education sector.

He argued that “the foundation for the change that is necessary to turn them around lies in the quality and sincerity of leadership in all our institutions that is anchored on justice, rule of law, respect for due process and prudent management of resources.

“I am sure you are all, no doubt, aware that some of the allegations and counter-claims made against the governing councils and managements of some of our institutions have created mistrust and hostility and hindered the smooth conduct of academic activities to the detriment of students.

“Some of these allegations include: financial misappropriation, disregard of due process, nepotism and irregularities in the recruitment and promotion of staff, corruption, power tussle among council members, sexual harassment and fraud. It is against this backdrop, that these panels were constituted to determine the veracity of the claims,” Adamu stressed.

He said: “In carrying out this assignment, I want to reiterate that panels are not law courts and the exercise is not meant to witch-hunt anybody. Nowadays, there are no witches: and we are no hunters. It is a mere fact-finding exercise.”

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folashade Esan, while commenting on the imperative of the panels said: “Since the coming on board of the present administration, the hope of Nigerians for good governance, transparency and due process has been rekindled.

“It is this hope that made concerned Nigerians to draw the attention of government to some alleged untoward conducts in some of our tertiary institutions,” she stated.

Esan insisted that “in the spirit of fair-hearing” it is incumbent on the committees’ members to “prove the veracity of these allegations,” the permanent secretary submitted.

Speaking on behalf of other members, Chairman of the panel for the University of Calabar, Dr. Salihu Aubakar, assured the minister of the readiness of committees’ members to carry out a thorough job.

Abubakar stated that considering the trust reposed on them, the need to be discreet, fair and painstaking is sacrosanct to ensuring that the veracity of the allegations is authentic.

The chairmen of other committees include Prof. Magaji Garba, Prof. Sadiq Isa Radda, Prof. Sulaiman Abdul, Prof, Toyin Olorode, Prof. Godwin Nsofor, Prof. Andrew Haruna, Prof. Sech Accra Jaja and Prof. Idowu Awopetu.