Nigeria Content Online

A few months after a senior lecturer of Ambrose Alli
University, Ekpoma, Edo State, was involved in a sex scandal that went
viral, another lecturer of the institution, simply identified as Mr.
Uhumuavbi, has been sanctioned by the governing council of the
university for fraud. Mr. Uhumuavbi, a reader in the department of
curriculum and instruction of the institution, was accused of
unauthorized spending of N3,252,540 and un-retired funds amounting to
N3,070,550 that was in his possession. He was alleged to have committed
the fraud as head of the water unit of the university during the
administration of former vice-chancellor, Dan Aigbomian.

Following petitions written against him, an ad-hoc
senior staff disciplinary committee was set up to consider the case and
established a case of misconduct against the reader, which the
university’s governing council adopted at its 171st meeting held
December 9, 2010. According to the deputy registrar, information/public
relations of the institution, Chris Adamaigbo, Mr. Uhumuavbi is to
“refund the sum of N3,252,540 being unauthorized spending, as well as
pay back the sum of N3,070,550 unretired fund to the university.”

Banned from office

A further sanction includes the denial to the
lecturer of promotion for three years from the date he meets the
relevant criteria, just as he has been barred from holding any position
in the university for the rest of his working career.

The disciplinary
action, the release emphasized, was in tune with the determination of
the governing council to promote integrity, transparency and
accountability in the handling of university assignments by staff and
students. Some members of the university were, however divergent in the
reactions, as some said the punishment was not commensurate with the
offence, while others felt he was being persecuted because he lacked a
godfather. Those who felt the disciplinary committee was too lenient
cried foul play, saying that some other university employees who had
committed less offences in the past were dismissed, while others also
alleged that those who committed more grievous offences in the past
were covered up.