Another anti-corruption organization, Citizens Rights Against Corruption (CRAC) has joined the list of those calling for the comprehensive probe of the Vice Chancellors of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) , his UNIABUJA counterpart and their predecessors where necessary.
This followed a chain of fraudulent activities and questionable transactions in excess of N1.2 billion uncovered by the federal government in both Universities.
Executive Director of CRAC, Muyiwa Balogun told Crimefacts.news that it was a huge embarrassment to hear such level of rot and fiscal decadence in a respected institution as FUTO and urged relevant authorities to move in and embark on a comprehensive investigation and where necessary forensic audit of the finances of the University before Nigeria loses another key institution to fraud.
He said, “Im particular about FUTO becuase I know what level of damage financial or academic fraud and other unethical practises can do to the pursuit of excellence in flagship institutions like FUTO.”
He however held that Vice Chancellors of the two Universities and their immediate predecessors where necessary should be subjected to close scrutiny as Vice Chancellors must be able to explain what happened to their University’s funds or begin to take the responsibility for any unexplained ‘financial bazaar’ in their institutions.
Balogun said: “It is also my informed opinion that the major anti-graft agencies in the country – EFCC and ICPC – should quickly swing into action and pull the two Vice Chancellors and predecessors in for questioning and if a prima facie case is established after investigations, they should be prosecuted without delay to serve as a deterrent to other heads of institutions nursing the idea of perpetrating financial fraud and fiscal recklessness.
“Also, I recall vividly that towards the end of 2019, there were small talks about employment bazaar and racketeering in FUTO and I think the relevant authorities should also take a second look at what may have been emergency employments to cover up a systemic fraud. I urge journalists and news platforms like Crimefacts to take a closer look at what is going on in FUTO and other institutions of higher learning as the case may be.”
The Federal Government’s audit report has revealed irregularities of more than N1.2bn in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 finances of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, and the University of Abuja.
The Punch had reported that the 2017 report from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation titled, ‘Auditor General’s Annual Report on the Accounts of the Federation of Nigeria 2017,’ showed that FUTO had more than N611m irregularities in its expenses between 2016 and 2017, while UNIABUJA had over N560m for 2015.
The report noted that the Vice-Chancellors of the universities during the years under review must be made to answer for the money unaccounted for.
For FUTO, the report highlighted about 10 areas where there were financial infractions between 2016 and 2017. These ranged from “payments without raising payment vouchers put at N43,543,129; payment of unapproved allowances put at N244,325,021, and payment to contractor for jobs not done at N34,252,304.”
The report partly read, “During the periodic checks conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, for the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, the following were observed; payments without raising payment vouchers – N43,543,129.34. Payments totalling N43,543,129.34 were made without raising payment vouchers, in violation of Financial Regulation 601 which provides that payment vouchers must be raised before any payment is made.
“Response from the university on the above issue failed to address the issue.
“The recommendation is that the vice-chancellor has been requested to account for the sum of N43,543,129. Also, sanctions stated in financial regulation 3106 should be imposed on the vice-chancellor.
“Also, payment of unapproved allowances put at N244,325,021.26. It was observed from sampled payment vouchers that a total of N244,325,021.26 was paid to staff as allowances for recharge cards, council incentives, security shift, contract addition allowances, etc., from personnel cost between 2016 and 2017. Documents conveying approval for such payments from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission could not be made available during the periodic check.”
For the University of Abuja, the report noted that the institution had unaccounted payments put at N17,924,585; payment of unapproved allowances at N84,748,382, among other infractions.
The report added, “During the periodic checks of the University of Abuja, for the 2015 financial year, the following observations were made. One, unaccounted payments – N17, 924,585; 27 payment vouchers totalling N17,924,585 were paid to a staff of the university for printing services and jobs. The amount should have been made direct to the University Bookshop or University Printing Press rather than personal account of the officer.
“However, there was no record of utilisation of the various amounts collected by the payee in order to ascertain transparency, probity and accountability of the transactions. Our recommendation is that the vice-chancellor is required to account for the sum of 17,924,585 and forward evidence to me for confirmation.
“Also, payment of unapproved allowances is put at N84,748,382. Furthermore, there is diversion of funds through fictitious contract which is put at N23,921,250.”
A civil society, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, while reacting to the report, also asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the universities and recover allegedly misused funds.
The PLSI Executive Director, Olusegun Elemo, said in a statement, “Anti-corruption agencies, particularly the ICPC and the EFCC, should investigate the transactions and recover the money and return it to the federal treasury.
“The university authorities should also ensure strict compliance with relevant fiscal provisions and procurement laws in the implementation of new contracts.”
When asked for comment, spokeswoman for FUTO, Mrs Uche Nwelue, asked our correspondent to forward to her a copy of the report, while promising to get back to our correspondent.
However, she had yet to get back to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
Spokesman for UNIABUJA, Dr Habib Yakoob, could also not be reached for comment as his line rang out.
