ABSU Under Fire: Otti Empowers High-Powered Panel to Probe Extortion, Forgery

UMUAHIA – The Abia State Government has moved to sanitize the academic environment of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), following disturbing reports of systemic misconduct. Governor Alex Otti, through the State Executive Council, has officially inaugurated a five-man Special Investigative Committee to dissect allegations of student harassment, extortion, and academic fraud.

​The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who confirmed the development during a press briefing in Umuahia, emphasized that the administration would not tolerate “ethical erosion” in the state’s premier citadel of learning.

​A Mandate for Accountability

​The committee, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has been handed a rigorous mandate. Beyond investigating claims of bribery and harassment, the panel is specifically tasked with probing a high-profile case involving a lecturer accused of both financial extortion and the possession of forged academic certificates.

​The terms of reference for the committee include:

• ​Identifying perpetrators of student harassment and extortion.
• ​Investigating specific bribery and certificate forgery allegations against faculty members.
• ​Assessing the implementation status of the 2024 White Paper on the university’s previous investigation.
• ​Closing implementation gaps to restore the institution’s reputation for excellence.

​Data-Driven Education Reform

​In a simultaneous push for institutional transparency, Commissioner Kanu announced the launch of the 2026 Annual School Census. The month-long exercise, which commenced on Monday across all three senatorial zones, is designed to generate a comprehensive data pool for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

​”This census is critical for the ‘Hope Education Intervention Grant’ and ensures that our policy formulation is backed by verified figures rather than estimates,” Kanu stated.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Expanding Access and Capacity

​The Governor’s reform agenda is also extending beyond the university walls. The Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy has successfully established 140 new learning centres across the state, specifically targeting adults who missed out on formal schooling.

​Furthermore, the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) recently concluded an intensive training cycle for 265 headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) teachers. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to reposition Abia’s education sector as a model for the federation.

​The investigative committee is expected to collaborate closely with the ABSU Governing Council and submit its findings directly to the Governor for immediate action. For many students who have long complained of “sorting” and administrative bottlenecks, this probe represents a long-awaited shift toward meritocracy.