EFCC Invites Ex-OAU VC, Bursar Over Alleged N2.8bn Fraud

• EFCC Invites Ex-OAU VC, Bursar Over Alleged N2.8bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole, to come and respond to allegations of fraud and other financial crimes levelled against him.

The invitation by the anti-corruption agency is sequel to a petition written to the commission by a group known as the Third Eye Transparency International, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter.

The EFCC in a letter with reference no CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/CTGI-PENSION/031/Vol1/140 and dated January 19, 2017 and signed by the Head of the EFCC in Ibadan, Akaninyene Ezima, invited the former VC to report at the Ibadan office of the commission for an interview.

The anti-corruption agency also invited the OAU bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, to report with the former VC to clarify issues on allegations of fraud and abuse of office allegedly perpetrated by the duo.

The EFCC addressed the letter inviting Omole and the bursar to OAU’s acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, so that he could allow them to honor the invitation to appear before the commission.

A source told our correspondent that the bursar went and honoured the invitation on Tuesday but was not sure if Omole had done the same.

The EFCC letter partly read, “This office is currently investigating an alleged case of embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office and stealing of public funds involving your institution.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby requested to inform and release the above named ( Omole) and the bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, to report at the EFCC zonal office at No 16, Rev’d. Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku, Ibadan for an interview with the undersigned ( Ezima). “

The bursar was asked to come to the interview with documents on all capital contracts including financial documents for the renovation of the official residence of the VC; documents for Distance Learning and their reliant account numbers between 2012 and 2016.

Also, she was asked to bring documents of funds remitted to the OAU under the NEEDS Assessment of Nigeria Public Universities Special Presidential Intervention between 2013 and 2014 and the financial documents of employers contributory pension scheme.

The group, in a petition against the former VC and the bursar, signed by its lawyer S.T.A. Raji & Co., accused Omole of not following the procedure given by the Federal Government in disbursing the N5,667,407,22 given the university.

The ex-VC was also accused of renovating the VC’s residence with N208m; illegal transfer of N34,905,690.17 from the OAU minor capital account to the MBA Executive Fund deposit account under questionable circumstances.

Also, the former VC and the bursar were accused of illegal deduction of contributory pension from salaries of workers running into billions of naira and the funds had remained unaccounted for.