The Abia State government has constituted a five-member Special Investigative Committee to probe allegations of harassment, extortion, bribery and certificate forgery involving some staff and students of Abia State University.
The move, announced on Monday, is said to be part of efforts by the administration of Governor Alex Otti “to restore integrity, discipline and academic excellence in the state-owned institution.”
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at Government House in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor.
Kanu said the committee was set up to uphold ethical and academic standards in the university and ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated.
According to him, the panel will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, will serve as Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa and Professor Lawrence Idemudua.
Speaking on the committee’s mandate, Kanu said the panel had been directed to identify individuals involved in the alleged misconduct and recommend appropriate sanctions to the Visitor to the university.
He added that the committee would also investigate allegations of bribery and certificate forgery levelled against a lecturer in the institution.
“The committee is expected to identify perpetrators and make appropriate recommendations to the Visitor to the university. It will also examine allegations of bribery and forged certificates, as well as determine the extent of implementation of the 2024 white paper on the university investigation panel,” Kanu stated.
The commissioner further disclosed that the investigative panel would assess the level of implementation of the 2024 white paper issued after a previous probe involving the university and identify areas where gaps still exist.
According to him, the committee is expected to work closely with the university’s Governing Council in carrying out its assignment.
