Ojukwu varsity dismisses alleged contract racketeering, fraud against VC

The management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam, Anambra State, has dismissed allegations level against its acting Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof Kate Omenugha over alleged contract racketeering, public procurement violation, fraud, and financial crimes.

The management debunked the alledgation in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka, on Monday, by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Harrison Madubueze.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the staff members of the University have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the VC over the above-mentioned financial crimes.

In a January 27 letter addressed to the EFCC Chairman, counsel to the petitioners, Silas Joseph Onu, Esq., informed the commission that an investigation into the dealings of the head of the institution with her son under various companies would reveal multiple violations of the Public Procurement Act 2007, financial misappropriation, and other public financial crimes.

The petitioners, who have chosen to remain anonymous, allege that the VC and her son are involved in fraudulent activities, including contract racketeering.

Reacting further to the development, the School management urged the people of the State and the public at large to disregard the information.

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The statement read in part, “On Sunday, February 2, 2025, our communications channels were overwhelmed with calls from different people concerning allegations contained in a petition reportedly submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by an Abuja-based law firm.

The petition allegedly filed on behalf of certain anonymous “university staff”, appears to be a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation and distinguished career of the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, as well as the public standing of the University.

“Our first reaction was not to dignify manifest falsehood. But given the reach of this calculated attempt to tarnish both the Ag. VC and the university, we consider it fitting to put out this response for the records.

“For the sake of clarity, the University will not lend credence to transparently unfounded accusations made with only one design in mind; nor will we engage in a futile exchange.

“However, it is necessary to set the record straight for those who may be misled by these unfounded claims:

“As a factual matter, no law enforcement agency has communicated any petition for the attention of the Acting VC nor requested her response regarding any petition. It is unquestionably curious that an alleged petition which has yet to result in any official inquiry has already been turned into a media spectacle. This development exposes the true motives of the faceless beings behind these allegations.

“The ongoing process of substantiation for the office of Vice-Chancellor at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University seems to have created an opportunity for forces of misogyny against the Acting Vice-Chancellor and appears to have inspired this bout of mischievous mudslinging.”

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