COOU Acting VC Faces EFCC Petition Over Alleged N4bn Contract Fraud as Staff Uproar Grows
A storm is rapidly brewing at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), as allegations of financial misconduct continue to surface.
The university’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Omenugha,
is at the center of these accusations, with a group of concerned staff taking drastic steps to demand accountability.
In a detailed petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
they accuse the Acting VC of numerous financial irregularities, raising serious questions about transparency and ethical conduct at COOU.
Staff Take a Stand: Whistleblowing on Alleged N4bn Mismanagement
The petition, filed by COOU staff through Shield and Sword Consult, has set the stage for a high-stakes legal battle.
The petitioners claim that Prof. Kate Omenugha engaged in large-scale financial mismanagement,
including the inflation of contracts, misappropriation of funds, and unethical favoritism in awarding university contracts.
These serious allegations threaten to unravel what could be a groundbreaking case in the management of Nigerian universities.
According to the petition, the Acting VC breached multiple procurement laws while handling the 2024 TETFund project.
Allegedly, contracts worth over N4 billion were awarded without following due process or adhering to the university’s bidding protocols.
The petition claims that these contracts were broken down into smaller,
seemingly unrelated portions to avoid scrutiny, thereby circumventing the established guidelines for transparent contracting.
This scandal has set off a chain reaction, with staff and other stakeholders growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability.
Many of them believe this case could become a critical test for the level of transparency in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Suspicious Biometric Staff Registration Deal: Red Flags Raised
One of the most shocking revelations in the petition involves the biometric staff registration contract.
According to the whistleblowers, the contract was awarded to a company that had been dormant for years.
The company, allegedly tied to the close associates of Prof. Omenugha, resurfaced at the last minute and was handed the multimillion-naira project.
The sudden reactivation of this dormant company raises serious questions about the fairness of the selection process.
Why would a dormant company with no recent track record suddenly be awarded such a substantial contract?
The petitioners argue that this deal was nothing more than a means to funnel funds to individuals with ties to the VC,
a practice that violates the ethical standards expected of public institutions.
This allegation has ignited public outcry, as staff and other members of the academic community express concerns
about the integrity of the procurement process and the true beneficiaries of these lucrative contracts.
Was this a case of gross negligence, or is there something more sinister at play?
Renovation Projects: A Family Affair with Unchecked Financial Practices
The allegations continue, with staff pointing to several renovation projects at the Igbariam campus that they believe were improperly executed.
The petition claims that these projects, including a facelift for the University’s Gate House and the installation of solar-powered streetlights,
were carried out without input from the university’s planning department.
Instead, the projects were allegedly managed by individuals closely connected to Prof. Omenugha, particularly her family members.
Sources within the university suggest that the cost of these renovations ranged from N65 million to N100 million.
However, what is even more concerning is that the funds for these projects were allegedly channeled through private accounts,
bypassing the university’s established financial system entirely.
This raises serious questions about the proper oversight and accountability mechanisms within COOU.
The staff members who have come forward with these claims argue that the university’s financial system was manipulated
to benefit certain individuals, with funds diverted to private accounts instead of being used for their intended purposes.
The fact that the university’s planning department had no role in overseeing these projects
further fuels suspicions that this was an orchestrated effort to sidestep financial controls.
Sales Monopolized: Allegations of Unfair Business Practices
The controversy surrounding COOU doesn’t end with renovations and procurement irregularities.
Another disturbing claim in the petition involves the forced monopoly of bottled water sales on campus.
According to the staff, the Acting VC used her influence to ensure that her family’s water brand,
KONCIO, became the sole brand available for purchase on university grounds.
This move reportedly sidelined other water vendors, leading to a monopoly on the sale of bottled water at COOU.
Later, another water brand, B-ORIENT, was introduced, but this move allegedly breached university policies.
Vendors who had relied on the sale of water on campus were left frustrated, leading to clashes between them and those responsible for the decision.
The allegations of unfair trade practices raise questions about how COOU’s leadership has approached business dealings on campus.
Was this another example of unethical favoritism, or were there legitimate reasons for introducing these water brands?
What is clear is that the university’s policies on vendor relations and business dealings need a closer look.
Mysterious Disappearance of Funds for ID Cards and Student Services
As the allegations continue to mount, the petitioners have also drawn attention to the disappearance of funds allocated for the printing of student ID cards.
The petition claims that funds meant for this essential service simply vanished,
and as a result, students were left without the necessary identification.
The lack of student ID cards is not just a minor inconvenience;
it has real consequences for students who need these cards for access to various services within the university.
This situation has further fueled frustrations among both students and staff,
who are now questioning the integrity of the financial processes under Prof. Omenugha’s leadership.
To make matters worse, the petitioners allege that the Acting VC manipulated the review process for the 2023 TETFund project.
According to the staff, this was done in order to secure additional contracts and extract illicit financial benefits,
further compounding the university’s financial mismanagement.
Allegations of Admission Fraud: A Shocking Twist
Perhaps the most explosive part of the petition involves the accusation of admission fraud at COOU.
The petitioners claim that certain high-demand courses, such as Law and Medicine, were essentially “sold” to the highest bidder.
According to the allegations, students were charged up to N3 million per slot to secure a place in these coveted programs.
This practice, if true, represents a severe breach of academic integrity.
The sale of academic slots undermines the merit-based admission process and denies deserving students the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Such allegations are a direct assault on the credibility of COOU’s academic system,
and they raise questions about the extent to which corruption has infiltrated the university’s administration.
COOU Management Denies Allegations: Defending the VC
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the university’s management has strongly defended Prof. Omenugha.
In a public statement, COOU spokesperson Harrison Madubueze dismissed the petition as politically motivated.
He described the petition as a coordinated smear campaign designed to tarnish the reputation of Prof. Omenugha
ahead of her potential confirmation as the substantive vice-chancellor.
Madubueze further emphasized that no law enforcement agency, including the EFCC,
has contacted the university regarding any formal investigation into the allegations.
He argued that under Prof. Omenugha’s leadership, COOU had experienced significant reforms,
including improvements in infrastructure, academic growth, and stronger ties with the surrounding community.
While the university’s management has dismissed the accusations, it remains to be seen how the EFCC will respond to the petition.
The situation has left many asking whether the university is simply engaged in damage control or if there is truth to the allegations that need to be addressed.
The EFCC’s Next Move: Will They Launch an Investigation?
As the petition now sits on the desk of the EFCC, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the anti-graft agency will take action.
Given the gravity of the allegations and their potential impact on Nigeria’s education system, many expect the EFCC to launch a full-scale investigation.
The case has already garnered significant public attention,
with many eager to see whether the EFCC will take the necessary steps to ensure transparency and accountability in Nigerian universities.
If an investigation is launched, it could set a significant precedent for how cases of financial misconduct and corruption are handled in the higher education sector.
A Call for Transparency and Justice in Nigerian Universities
Regardless of the outcome of this particular case,
the allegations surrounding Prof. Omenugha underscore the urgent need for greater
transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s higher education institutions.
The growing concerns about financial mismanagement, contract fraud, and admission rackets highlight a system in need of reform.
If the allegations are proven true, it could signal a major shift in how universities are managed in Nigeria.
On the other hand, if they are found to be false,
it could serve as a warning against the dangers of politically motivated smear campaigns that undermine the integrity of public institutions.
One thing is clear: the education system in Nigeria must evolve to meet the demands of transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Whether or not the EFCC investigates this case,
it is clear that the future of Nigeria’s universities depends on the ability to root out corruption and uphold the integrity of these critical institutions.
Do you believe that the EFCC should investigate these serious allegations?
Share your thoughts in the comments section and stay connected with NIGPOST for real-time updates on this unfolding story.
By: Aisha Ibrahim
Date: May 2, 2025
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