Some staff members of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, of contract racketeering and abuse of office. In the petition, signed by Joseph Onu, managing consultant at Shield and Sword Consult, the staff alleged that the VC awarded contracts without following due process, particularly in the execution of the 2024 TETFund Project.
Allegations Against the VC
- Splitting and awarding contracts for personal gain
- Failure to issue public notifications for bid expressions in violation of the Public Procurement Act
- Awarding biometric staff capturing contracts to associates, despite the company being inactive for decades
- Initiating the renovation of the university’s Gate House without consulting the Physical Planning and Valuation department
- Engaging her family in business transactions with COOU, including granting exclusive rights to sell KONCIO-branded table water on campus
- Circumventing council directives by introducing B-ORIENT table water and monopolizing its sale within the university
The petitioners further alleged that N65 million to N100 million had already been spent on questionable projects, while N20 million allocated for solar street lighting at the College of Medicine, Amaku, Awka, was diverted into the VC’s family member’s account, with the project never functioning. The staff urged the EFCC to investigate and ensure accountability in the university’s financial dealings.
