NANS protests, demands probe, sack of VC Michael Varsity

THE National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday protested the continued stay in office of the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Francis Otunta in spite of allegations of corruption levelled against him.

The students have equally petitioned the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the MInister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to immediately institute probe against the Vice Chancellor.

NANS President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi who led the protest on the streets of Abuja, demanding for probe and removal of the Prof. Otunta, said the students have to stormed the Ministry of Education, EFCC, and ICPC, on a protest following the expiration of seven days ultimatum given for the Vice Chancellor to resign honourably from office in order to face the charges of corruption against in a Federal High Court.

The protesters carried placards of different inscriptions such as: EFCC bean your searchlight on tertiary institutions, corruption is killing our schools”, “resign now Otunta and concentrate on defending corrupt allegation against you before”, “save our educational institution from corruption”, among others.

A copy of the petition to ICPC obtained by Nigerian Tribune in Abuja and signed by the NANS President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi read in part:

“The National Association of Nigerian Students under my able leadership salutes the courage and decisive incursions of the able leadership of the current management of the ICPC led by Mr. Ekpo Nta into perpetrators of fraudulent acts committed by public and private citizens who breached public trust.

“In line with the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government to encourage whitsle-blowing, curb corruption and recover stolen funds, our association (NANS) has graciousy accepted to act in good faith and whitsle blow corrupt practises particularly in the education sector.

“Mr Chairman, the worst corruption is actually happening in our tertiary institutions. No nation can develop above her people.

“A lot of our administrators have ruined the tertiary institutions, looting resources meant to build, train and educate our nation’s manpower for future development as a people and nation.

“Permit me, Mr Chairman, to enjoy the good intention of the ICPC by bringing to your urgent attention the need to beam your searchlight on activities of tertiary administrators in our educational institutions particularly those with barrages of allegations deserving probe and possible prosecution.

“In making true the essence of complimenting your efforts, the National Association of Nigerian Students wish to call on the ICPC to probe the allegations of fraud and corrupt practises levelled against Prof Francis Otunta during his tenure as Rector/Chief Executive of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana and now as the Vice Chancellor of MOUA, Umudike, Abia State.

“In consolidating on the resolution reached by the NEC of NANS at a press conference addressed by the National President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, gave seven days ultimatum to the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike -Prof. Otunta, to resign from office for issues bothering on gross incompetence, dishonest practices and highhandedness, as well as engaging in behaviours inimical to the academic and proper development of students.

“Instead of commendably heeding the call by NANS, Prof. Otunta rather mounted a high horse and resorted to grandstanding and declaration of war against the NANS President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, whom he claimed was expelled from Federal Polytechnic Unwana.

“Based on the foregoing, NANS wishes to spell out the cases against Otunta, which make him unsuitable to continue to occupy the office of Vice Chancellor and insist on his resignation from office, face the allegations levelled against him and either clear his name or face prosecution if found guilty.

“Prof. Otunta had while serving as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Unwana, allegedly conspired with four other persons and forged the letter-headed paper of Emma-Ishiagu Int’l Ltd and opened account No. 4110018208 with Fidelity bank with intent to defraud and allegedly obtained the sum of Eighty-One million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N81, 700, 000.00) from the Polytechnic.