By Thompson Yamput
Prof Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, Vice Chancellor (VC), Kogi State University (KSU) has described as false, null and void allegations that the university management was allegedly involved in embezzlement of funds belonging its Alumni
The Vice Chancellor made the declaration on Thursday while briefing newsmen at the university’s Auditorium, Anyigba on some alleged publications that have purportedly took her name and that of the institution to the mud.
Tenuche described as “unfair” and “very unfortunate” the clandestine moves by the acclaimed University’s alumni who, “rather than seek to pursue the ideals of an Alumni Association, resorted to devising ways of milking the University dry, at all cost.”
“To set the records straight, the general public should be informed that Suit No.: AYHC/03/2023 pending before the Kogi State High Court of Justice, siting in Anyigba, has no link whatsoever, with an allegation of fraud against the office and person of the Vice Chancellor of the University.
“It is no longer news that the Alumni Association of Kogi State University has been enmeshed in leadership crises for years now, with two factions, all laying claim to legitimacy as National Executives of the Association.
“The crises have crystalized into legal action and counter legal actions in court but while the various actions are still pending, one of the factions, championed by two individuals, in particular.
“They had approached the University on several occasions, demanding funds and that they be invited to attend Meetings of the Governing Council of the University, on the basis that they are the legally elected national executives of the University Alumni Association,”
She said that faction was angered by the decision of the University not to give recognition to their faction, went and filed an action against the University and made her, the Vice Chancellor, a co-defendant for no just cause.
According to her, their claim in the case was for the University be mandated to invited their acclaimed National President to Council Meetings and that previous Council Meetings held to their exclusion and the decisions taken at such meetings, be nullified.
The VC said that they were also praying the court to mandate the University to give account of what they term Alumni finances of the association amongst other demands including paying their Lawyer the bills of N25 million and returning their original certificate of incorporation.
“To put the records straight on finances, the present University Management has never collected any Development Levy or Alumni fees from graduating students and so vehemently objects to the demand to pay their Lawyer’s bill.
“This is why we have filed an appeal against the subsequent garnishee order of the Kogi State High Court, Idah, at the Court of Appeal, Abuja for redress.
“On their demand for inclusion as members of the University Governing Council, the University has since filed our defence to the case and response to the motion for restraining order.
“In fact, the University Governing Council has directed that the University Management should commence the process for the review of several anomalies observed in the 2018 University Law, in line with the report of the last Visitation Panel and other global Universities best practices, ” she said.
The ephemeralnews.com.ng reports that the alumni through its Counsel, Mr Shuiabu Ibrahim, had filed a case before a State High Court sitting in Anyigba accusing the VC of defrauding the Association of N31 million besides refusing it’s leaders to attend executive council meetings. (e-meralnews)
