Education
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited 92 staff members of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra, over alleged procurement breaches and other related offences.
The invitation was contained in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the university and dated July 2.
The letter was signed by Mr Dio A. Emmanuel, Acting Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, ICPC, Anambra State Office.
It said the commission was investigating allegations of diversion of public funds, abuse of office and conflict of interest, contrary to provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
According to the commission, the affected staff members are required to report for interrogation at the ICPC office in Awka between July 7 and July 24.
The commission stated that the invitation was issued pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,.
It directed the university management to release the listed staff members to honour the invitation.
It also informed the invitees that they were entitled to be accompanied by a legal practitioner, a Justice of the Peace, a staff member of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, or any other person of their choice, in line with Section 17(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The development marks another twist in the recent controversies surrounding the state-owned institution.
It would be recalled that the ICPC had earlier requested the university authorities to submit certain academic records for scrutiny as part of its ongoing investigation.
The university management had yet to issue an official response to the latest development as of the time of filing this report
F.O
Tags: ICPC Ojukwu varsity Procurement breaches