Gusau varsity staff accuse VC of corruption, seek investigation

The staff of the Federal University, Gusau, have accused the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Magaji Garba, of corruption and disregard for due process in the award of contracts, and requested for an investigation into the matter.

In a petition signed by N.S Dantala Esq on behalf of concerned members of the University, the petitioners said that Professor Magaji Garba has ignored the professional advice of the university Bursar, Internal Auditor, and Director of Works on issues surrounding the award of contracts and payments of existing contracts.

However, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Magaji Garba, who spoke through the Information Officer of the university, Umar Usman, dismissed the allegations as baseless.

The petitioners however said the issues were discussed at the council meeting and the council strongly warned the VC to allow relevant units in the university to perform their functions.

“It is a known fact that the Vice-Chancellor was guilty of splitting contracts for procurement and consultancy illegally awarded to a company.

“For instance, the Vice-Chancellor awarded a contract and entered into Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) agreement with a company without following due process and against the rules governing such projects.

“On the illegal recruitment of staff, evidence was available in which the Vice-Chancellor never followed due process. Some instances were unraveled in the Council’s Investigation Committee’s report,” the petitioners said.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor said before any contract was given in the university, tender was usually published and pre-qualification and financial openings ensured for winners to emerge through due process as prescribed by law.

“Concerning illegal recruitment, before any recruitment took place, an advert was made. It was the Council that later said some processes were not followed and decided to quash the appointments. After the appointments were quashed, the majority of the affected staff were returned because the university had enough room as at then to reabsorb them.

“Allegations of corruption are always proved with facts. One cannot just allege that a bribe has been collected without indisputable fact,” the Vice-Chancellor said.