AAU Crisis: Academic Activities Grounded To A Complete Halt As Staffers, Students Desert The University Campus As A Result Of Strike
Prof. Ignatius Onimawo has battling allegations of mountainous petitions of alleged corruption leveled against by the union and the staffers of the University running in billions of Naira.The controversial Vice-Chancellor was said to have approved about N90 million Naira TETfund money to the son of one Prof. Patrick Oviasuyi of the Department of Public Administration and a former director of the University’s Academic Planning Division for a study programme abroad. The said son of Prof. Oviasuyi who was recently employed by the Vice-Chancellor is still an unconfirmed staff.
In a similar manner, a total sum of N100 million was transferred from the various university accounts into the personal account of one Eugene Eraikhuemen, VC’s PA. Of this amount a total sum of N26 million was allegedly transferred into the personal account of Eraikhuemen from various university internally generated revenue accounts and from other staff accounts. Out of this amount a total sum of N25 million was transferred by Eugene Eraikhuemen to the personal account of the VC and of Jane Onimawo, the wife of the VC.
In the 2-year period of (2017 and 2018) the VC spent the total sum of N55 million as security vote instead of N24 million because the monthly security vote approval is N1 million per month. The VC also spent N62 million in 2017 and 2018 for local and foreign travels; an amount that cannot be defended. In Novemebr 2017, the VC bought a Toyota Camry Car of N19 million for himself without Council approval and yet the amount was above his approval limit of N5 million.
Prof. Onimawo is alleged to have also authorized funds to be paid into the account of Dr. H.O.T. lyawe an Ag. Director of AAU Consult to transfer the sum of N5 million into the Zenith bank account number 175969966, belonging to Chris Omo-lribhogbe to carry out unexplained activities.
Mrs Onimawo, wife of the VC, also spent University funds of N7.1 million for the two years covering 2017 and 2018 for her own travels. It is not clear what all the monies illegally transferred from the various Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma bank accounts into the accounts of Chris Omon lribhogbe and Eugene Eraikhuemen are meant for and those benefitting from the fraud.