Alleged infractions: Lawyer calls for ex-UNICAL VC’s probe

A legal practitioner, Nurat Ileigo Usman Esq., has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged financial, procurement and accountability infractions levelled against Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar between 2015 and 2020.

In a petition dated September 18, 2026 and addressed to the EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Usman, a Principal Partner with Law & Order Attorneys, prayed the commission to obtain and examine all the procurement records for the period.

A copy of the acknowledgement letter, which was received by the anti-graft agency on September 22, 2026, was made available to newsmen Friday in Abuja.

“We are solicitors to Nigerians who are concern about the way and manner contracts and public funds were expended under the administration of Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar and on whose firm instructions we respectfully petition your good office.

“Our clients briefed us that Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar between 2015-2020,” she said.

Usman alleged that within the period under review, several allegations against Akpagu, the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate for Obudu Bekwarra Obanliku Federal Constituency of Cross River State, were not conclusively investigated by any law enforcement agent.

“This petition is prompted by matters contained in the Presidential Visitation Panel Report/White Paper concerning the University of Calabar for the period 2016-2020, which raises serious questions concerning compliance with public procurement requirements, financial controls, project execution and the accountability for funds entrusted to the university.”

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education publicly lists the University of Calabar 2016-2020 Visitation Panel White Paper among the Federal Government’s visitation reports.

“The published visitation report identifies Prof. Zana Akpagu as the Vice-Chancellor during the relevant period and raises concerns relating, among other matters, to due-process compliance and numerous uncompleted TETFund and NEEDS Assessment projects.

“The visitation findings raise concerns regarding the manner in which contracts were awarded and executed during the period under review, including alleged contract splitting and non-compliance with applicable due process requirements,” she alleged.

The lawyer, therefore, urged the commission to obtain and examine all procurement records for the period.

“Our clients are particularly concerned about the accountability and utilisation of funds allocated for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) projects and other capital projects during the period under review.

“We therefore respectfully request a forensic financial and technical audit of all TETFund, NEEDS Assessment and other externally or internally funded projects undertaken during Prof. Akpagu’s administration.

“We respectfully urge the commission to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, a comprehensive forensic audit covering the financial and procurement activities of the university during the relevant period with particular emphasis on capital projects, TETFund interventions NEEDS Assessment projects and major contracts.

“We further request that the commission investigates the identities and beneficial ownership of companies and contractors that received substantial payments from the university during the period.

“Our petition is founded on grounds that weighty allegations were made concerning the use of public funds but same were never subjected to proper investigations to ascertain the veracity of same.

“It is our humble submission that this calls for an independent investigation into documented findings and allegations concerning the management of public resources,” she said.

The lawyer, who charged the EFCC to commence the formal probe, urged the commission to obtain and review the complete Presidential Visitation Panel Report and Federal Government White Paper concerning the university for the relevant period.

“The University of Calabar is a federal institution whose resources are held in trust for the Nigerian public.

“We firmly believe that only a thorough and transparent investigation supported by documentary, financial and physical verification can conclusively determine the propriety or otherwise of the weighty allegations.

“We shall take necessary steps to furnish the commission with necessary documents or information in our possession that may assist the investigation and respectfully request that this petition be treated as a matter of urgent importange and public interest,’ Usman concluded.