University Staff Petition EFCC, Accuse VC of Corruption

Some staff members of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing Acting Vice-Chancellor Kate Omenugha of contract racketeering and abuse of office.

In a petition signed by Joseph Onu, a legal consultant at Shield and Sword Consult, the staff alleged that the VC awarded contracts without due process, including the 2024 TETFund Project, biometric staff capturing, and university infrastructure projects. They claimed these contracts were split and awarded to cronies without public bidding, violating the Public Procurement Act.

The petition also alleged that the vice-chancellor and her family members initiated a university gatehouse renovation, costing between N65 million and N100 million, without proper approval. A solar street lighting project at the College of Medicine, valued at N20 million, was also reportedly non-functional, with payments allegedly funneled to the VC’s family.

Additionally, the petitioners accused Prof. Omenugha of monopolizing the university’s bottled water sales for her family’s brands and diverting funds meant for student ID cards, leaving students without printed cards. They also condemned a review of the 2023 TETFund project as a scheme to extort funds.

University’s Response

COOU management dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign to derail Prof. Omenugha’s bid for a substantive VC appointment. University spokesperson Harrison Madubueze stated that no law enforcement agency had officially contacted the institution regarding the petition, attributing the accusations to detractors opposed to the VC’s reforms.

Source: NAN