EFCC Receives Petition Against Ex-UNICAL Vice-Chancellor Akpagu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition against Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), over alleged financial, procurement and accountability infractions during his tenure.

Akpagu, who served as the university’s vice-chancellor from 2015 to 2020, is currently the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The petition, filed by Law & Order Attorneys on behalf of unnamed clients, was formally received by the EFCC on September 22, according to a receipt issued by the commission.

The complaint, dated September 18 and addressed to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, urged the commission to investigate alleged irregularities in contract awards, project execution and management of public funds during Akpagu’s administration.

The petitioners based their request partly on issues they said were raised in the Presidential Visitation Panel Report and Federal Government White Paper on UNICAL covering the 2016–2020 period.

They alleged concerns over compliance with procurement requirements, financial controls and project execution, including alleged contract splitting and non-compliance with due-process procedures.

The petition also raised questions about several uncompleted Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and NEEDS Assessment projects and asked the EFCC to establish how funds allocated to the projects were utilised.

The petitioners requested a review of procurement records, the visitation panel report and the Federal Government’s White Paper. They also called for forensic financial and technical audits of projects funded through TETFund, NEEDS Assessment and other sources during Akpagu’s tenure.

They further asked the EFCC to establish the identities and beneficial ownership of companies and contractors that received substantial payments from the university.

The petitioners said the allegations should be independently verified through documentary reviews, financial analysis and physical inspection of projects.

However, there was no indication in the documents available that the EFCC had commenced a formal investigation or reached any finding of wrongdoing against Akpagu. The allegations remain claims requiring investigation and verification by the appropriate authorities.