EFCC Probes Ekiti University over N100m Fraud

By Victor Ogunje

The Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been directed to commence probe into allegation that some top management officials were using illegal portal to collect tuition fees from unsuspecting students.

Concerning some noticeable fraud and infractions in the collection of tuition fees, suspected to have caused alleged embezzlement of between N70 million and N100 million by some officials, Olanipekun said the matter had been directed to the anti-graft agencies for thorough investigation.

The vice chancellor also warned the academic staff of the university against taking steps that could rubbish or cast aspersion on the personalities of the members of the Governing Council of the university.

Olanipekun said this yesterday while addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on alleged unruly action taken against Governing Council by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The ASUU had on Tuesday invaded the venue of the council meeting held on campus and chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole and disrupted the proceeding.

Ventilating his anger, the ASUU had accused the Governor Kayode Fayemi of slashing the subvention to the university from N260 million to N130 million, thereby making salary payment difficult from April, 2021.

The academic body also alleged that the institution of embezzling between N70 million and N100 million through illegal portal created to collect tuition fee from students, among other issues.

He also debunked the accusations, expressed regret at how the ASUU members had badged into the council meeting and brought it to a stalemate.

The professor of Chemistry added that the management at its 171st statutory meeting held on Tuesday, described the ASUU’s action as an “ambush, unprocedural and belittled” the status of the university.

Olanipekun said: “Neither the management nor the council was put in the know. They just invaded the council meeting even without notice. This to us was unpalatable, disrespectful and should not be encouraged by any sane person.

“Despite the provocation, the council still went ahead and directed that some of the ASUU’s demands should be met. If they wanted to have an interface with the council, there are procedures. They shouldn’t just storm the venue of their meeting. “The council of the university is placing premium on the welfare of staff. Though ASUU had made very good and germane demands, but there are matured and civil ways by which we can ask such in a university setting.”

The vice chancellor said: “The council out of magnanimity had decided to overlook the ASUU’s action and extended hands of fellow

Olanipekun clarified that the university would not tolerate any form of financial corruption under any guise, saying apart from directing alleged cases of corruption to anti-graft agencies for investigation, that the university had also constituted a committee to look into the matter.

“And we assure you that whoever committed or indicted for administrative or financial infractions will face disciplinary action, this we are assuring ASUU.

“ASUU too must understand that there are rules and regulations and whoever flouts the rules would be made to face disciplinary actions.”