MOUAU given seven-day deadline to release records on Pro-Chancellor Edeh
The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, has been given a seven-day ultimatum to release records relating to the activities and expenditures of its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh.
The demand was made on Monday by the Transparency Initiative for MOUAU, pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
In a formal request submitted to the university through its solicitor, U. E. Ndukwe, Esq., the group, led by Hon. Chief Cletus Kalu N., requested information and documentary evidence covering the period from March 1, 2026, to date.
The group said the request was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, probity and due process in the administration of the university.
It said it was concerned about certain activities allegedly associated with Edeh since his assumption of office, claiming that some of the activities had raised questions about adherence to established procedures and standard administrative practices.
It consequently demanded copies of relevant documents, including receipts, payment vouchers, invoices, approvals, minutes, resolutions, bank and payment records, authorisations and other supporting documents relating to the information sought.
Among the records demanded are documents showing all expenditures made, incurred or paid by the university in respect of or on behalf of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, including the amount, date and purpose of each expenditure.
The group also requested records showing the budgetary heads or subheads under which the expenditures were authorised, charged or paid.
On accommodation, it asked the university to provide records showing the dates and number of nights Edeh spent at the MOUAU Guest House, as well as the amounts charged or paid by the university in respect of his accommodation.
It further demanded copies of invoices, bills, receipts, payment vouchers and evidence of payment relating to such accommodation.
The Transparency Initiative also requested information on the sources of funds used to finance the Pro-Chancellor’s accommodation and other related expenditures, including whether the funds came from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), federal allocation or other sources.
Another major aspect of the request concerns loans allegedly obtained by the university through or in connection with the MOUAU Microfinance Bank.
The group requested records relating to any such loans obtained from conventional or commercial banks, including the amount borrowed, lending institution, date, terms of the facility and relevant loan documentation.
It also demanded records showing how the loans were approved, disbursed and utilised, including the projects or programmes for which the funds were obtained and supporting documentation.
The group further sought minutes, resolutions, memoranda, approvals, recommendations and other relevant records concerning the expenditures, loans and projects from the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC), Governing Council, Directorate of Physical Planning (DPP), University Tenders Board (UTB) and University Procurement and Purchasing Committee (UPPC).
On meetings of the Governing Council, the group requested records showing the number and dates of meetings held from March 1, 2026, to date under the chairmanship of Edeh.
It also requested copies of notices, agendas, minutes, resolutions and decisions arising from the meetings.
The FOI request further seeks records of Edeh’s official visits to the university during the period under review, including the dates, official purposes and expenditures incurred in connection with each visit.
Another specific request relates to expenditure at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, during the process that led to the selection and appointment of MOUAU’s current Vice-Chancellor.
The group asked the university to disclose the total amount spent or incurred on accommodation and related expenses at the hotel, the dates and duration of the accommodation, the number and categories of persons accommodated, the purpose of the expenditure and the source of funds.
It also requested information on the relevant budgetary head or subhead under which the expenditure was authorised or charged, as well as copies of approvals, authorisations, hotel invoices, receipts, payment vouchers, requisitions, mandates, schedules, correspondence and evidence of payment.
The group stressed that it was seeking documentary evidence in support of each item requested.
It said a mere statement of figures, amounts, dates, purposes or explanations, without the corresponding supporting records, would not constitute full disclosure.
The group also reminded the university of what it described as its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, particularly the requirement for public institutions to make requested information available or communicate a refusal within the period prescribed by law.
It warned that failure to provide the requested records within seven days could compel it to take legal action against the university.
The demand comes amid growing calls for transparency and accountability in the management of public institutions, particularly universities and other government-funded establishments.
As of the time of filing this report, MOUAU had not publicly responded to the FOI request or the allegations contained in the group’s letter.
